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.
Evan Calbi | Director, Communications |
Jeffrey de Caen | Associate Dean, Operations |
Joanna Demers | Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs |
A. Phoenix Delgado | Associate Dean, Advancement |
Rotem Gilbert | Vice Dean, Scholarly & Research Division |
Cristian Grases | 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 | Assistant Dean of the Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee |
Phillip M. Placenti | Associate Dean, Admission & Student Affairs |
Leadership Teams
Councils, teams, & committees contribute to the vitality of USC Thornton.
Caption: Jonathan Rios, Staff Council
Jonathan Rios, Chair
Viet Bui, Secretary
Michelle Simonsen, Treasurer
Jen Watman, Member-at-Large
Staff Council
Jonathan Rios, 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
Sean Nye, 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: Karen Parks, Faculty Council
Juan-Pablo Contreras
Will Coppola
Will Kennedy
Brian Malouf
Candice D. Mattio
Sean Nye (Chair)
Karen Parks
Caption: TSC Members on campus.
Amy Millesen, Chair
Lynne Snyder, Vice Chair
Eric Tinkerhess, Officer of Records
Rosie Ding, Officer of Public Affairs
William Chiang, Treasurer
Elaine Kong, Graduate At-Large Representative
Margo Neuberger, Undergraduate At-Large Representative
Student Council
Amy Millesen, 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.
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
Ron McCurdy, Professor of Jazz Studies and Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
With the collective input of our faculty, students & administration, the J.E.D.I. committee develops strategies and measures progress in key change areas such as curriculum; recruitment & retention for both students and faculty; & the climate for BIPOC members at Thornton.
Caption: Unity Day hosted by J.E.D.I.
Ron McCurdy
Lina Bahn
Nicolas Lell Benavides
Angelica Brooks
Viet Bui
Christian Chico
William Coppola
Jeanine Cowen
Jeffrey de Caen
Sean Holt
Lyndia Johnson
Larry J. Livingston
Kevin Lyman
Gene Pak
Lynne Snyder
Tram Sparks
Scott Spencer
Matthew Weaver
Mark Weiser
Seth Parker Woods
Caption: Student Health Center
Bill Kanengiser, Chair
Phillip Placenti, Ex-officio
Charles Gutierrez
Lynn Helding
Yura Lee
Bob Mintzer
Antoinette Perry
Stephen Pierce
Richard Smith
Steve Trovato
Richard Wolf
Aimee Diaz (USC Physical Therapy)
Danielle Gautt (USC Student Counseling & Mental Health)
Karen Johnson (USC Audiology)
Pamela Mikkelsen (USC Physical Therapy)
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.