OFFICE OF THE DEAN
Dean’s Creative Vanguard Program
Members of the Creative Vanguard Program will mentor students and collaborate with the Thornton community.
Dean Jason King (Photo by Laylah Amatullah Barrayn)
About
Dean Jason King and the Creative Vanguard Program will bring a wide-ranging group of distinguished music artists and creative leaders to USC. Members of the Creative Vanguard Program will contribute to the school through masterclasses, workshops, private instruction, public discussions, and more. Working across Thornton’s diverse departments, Vanguard artists and creative leaders represent and span musical genres and idioms such as classical, pop, and jazz. Unlike an industry or artistic council that primarily serves an advisory role, the Creative Vanguard is meant to engage directly with students at the Thornton School, fostering collaboration and creative exchange.
Each of the artists and industry figures who will be selected for the Creative Vanguard exemplify the following qualities: creative leadership; culture-defining impact; collaboration; interdisciplinary exploration; innovation and experimentation; representation of musical continuum (artists whose work bridges the past, present, and future of music.)
Members of the Creative Vanguard will dedicate their time at USC to active collaboration, not only with students and faculty, but also with one another, toward the goal of supporting a vibrant and interdisciplinary community. Additional members of the Vanguard will be announced over the course of the year, with selections guided by a committee committed to upholding the program’s mission.
Inaugural Member:
Raphael Saadiq
The award-winning, multi-talented artist, producer, instrumentalist, composer, and songwriter with over thirty-five years of groundbreaking influence in popular music, Saadiq brings a wealth of experience to the program. Currently nominated for four Grammy Awards (including Best Country Song, Song of the Year and Record of the Year for Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” and Album of the Year for Cowboy Carter), he will work closely with senior students in the Pop Performance program, guiding them in developing their original songwriting and live performance skills, culminating in a special showcase on March 9th at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.
Raphael Saadiq (Photo by Jon Brown)