USC Thornton Leadership
Contributions to leadership exist at all levels at the USC Thornton School of Music, stewarding our university culture, community, and programs.
Jason King
Dean, USC Thornton School of Music
Jason King, Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music, is a multi-talented Canadian-American scholar, journalist, author, musician, performer, producer, songwriter, radio and video host and event curator. King earned his PhD in performance studies from New York University, and formerly served as chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts.
Senior Leadership
Managing the institutional needs of USC Thornton.
Joanna Demers | Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs |
Rotem Gilbert | Vice Dean, Scholarly & Research Division |
William Kanengiser | Vice Dean, Classical Performance & Composition Division |
Brian Head | Associate Dean, Academic Affairs |
Sean Holt | Vice Dean, Contemporary Music Division |
Susan M. Lopez | Associate Dean, Administration & Finance |
Ronald C. McCurdy | Associate Dean, Culture, Community & Impact |
Phillip M. Placenti | Associate Dean, Admissions & Student Affairs |
Robin Sukhadia | Director of Development |
Leadership Teams
Councils, teams, & committees contribute to the vitality of USC Thornton.
Damien Elwood, Chair
Kyle Shafiee, Vice Chair
Alex Knoll, Member at Large
Yesenia Nava, Member at Large
Kenzo Perkins, Member at Large
Staff Council
Damien Elwood, Chair
The Thornton Staff Council is the elected body that represents the collective interest of the Thornton staff, and serves to advise the administration of the USC Thornton School of Music in matters that impact the quality of work-life of Thornton staff.
Faculty Council
Will Kennedy, Chair
The USC Thornton School of Music’s Faculty Council is the official elected body that advocates for and represents the interests of the faculty and provides advice to the Dean, Associate and Vice Deans in matters that directly affect the faculty and programs of the Thornton School.
Caption: Will Kennedy, Faculty Council Chair
William Kennedy (Chair)
Jeanine Cowen
Candice Mattio
Luciana Souza
Brian Malouf
Caption: TSC Members on campus.
Evelyn Webber, Chair
Trinity Del Regno, Vice Chair
Jason Yang, Officer of Records
Makenna Harding-Davis, Officer of Public Affairs
Trevor Zavac, Treasurer
Ann Chen, At-Large Graduate Representative
Leverett Wilson, At-Large Undergraduate Representative
Student Council
Evelyn Webber, Chair
The Thornton Student Council (TSC) exists to amplify and advocate for the student experience at the School of Music by encouraging freedom of scholarship; student rights; promote a unified, cohesive student body; and to maintain forums to discuss student views and rights.
Caption: Student Health Center
Health & Wellness
William Kanengiser, Chair
The Thornton Musician’s Health and Wellness Committee, which comprises faculty members from varied disciplines including medicine and health care, has identified several wellness priorities for current Thornton students: hearing protection; vocal health; injury prevention and recovery; & mental health.