ABOUT US > JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY, & INCLUSION

Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion

While actively fostering intellectual and creative exploration, innovative approaches and connections with the world, USC Thornton also recognizes it is imperative for musicians and scholars to acknowledge systemic racism and the historical exclusion of marginalized peoples in music and to do the work of reconciliation and repair that is required.

Creating Change

Creating practices, policies, and organizational changes that support and reflect the values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Our Commitment

Preparing students to create and perform the music of the past, present, and future from a socially and politically-engaged, critically-informed, and community-driven perspective.

J.E.D.I. Committee

With the collective input of our faculty, students and administration, the J.E.D.I. committee develops strategies and measures progress in key change areas such as curriculum; recruitment and retention for both students and faculty; and the climate for BIPOC members at Thornton.

Current Members


Ron McCurdy

Andy Abad 

Jeffrey Allen 

Lina Bahn 

Nicolas Lell Benavides

Angelica Brooks

Viet Bui

Christian Chico 

William Coppola

Jeanine Cowen 

Justin Gilmore-Gresham

Susan Helfter

Sean Holt 

Lyndia Johnson 
Will Kennedy
Larry J. Livingston 
Kevin Lyman 
Cindy Montes
Yesenia Nava
Koji Sakano
Aarón Serfaty 
Tram Sparks 
Scott Spencer
Rachel Tan
Matthew Weaver
Mark Weiser
Seth Parker Woods

Our Stories

The USC Thornton School of Music recognizes the powerful role music plays in elevating the human spirit and in uniting diverse languages, cultures and communities.

A More Affirming Experience

The USC Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music offers gender-inclusive performance attire for all student ensembles.

Our Stories

The USC Thornton School of Music recognizes the powerful role music plays in elevating the human spirit and in uniting diverse languages, cultures and communities.

That Something Within

USC Thornton keyboard studies doctoral student Lenny Hayes partnered with USC Annenberg faculty member Miki Turner in honoring, reimagining century-old Black gospel hymn.

Our Stories

The USC Thornton School of Music recognizes the powerful role music plays in elevating the human spirit and in uniting diverse languages, cultures and communities.

Women in Music

At the USC Thornton School of Music, female students, faculty, staff and alumni are constantly blazing new trails and opening new doors, all while being authentically themselves.

Our Stories

The USC Thornton School of Music recognizes the powerful role music plays in elevating the human spirit and in uniting diverse languages, cultures and communities.

Black History Month

As part of the university’s celebration of Black History Month, USC Thornton doctoral student Angelica Brooks, a member of Thornton’s J.E.D.I. Committee, curated a Spotify playlist featuring Thornton alumni and faculty.

From Tragedy to Triumph

From Tragedy to Triumph was an interactive, student-led series about the African diaspora told through discussion with film, dance and music. Organized by USC Thornton Professor and Assistant Dean of the Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee Ron McCurdy, each event of the seven-part series was produced in creative collaboration among student and faculty composers, dancers, filmmakers, musicians and writers from across the university.
Illustration of African tribe dancing