Saxophonist Simon Hwang wins 2023 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition
Simon Hwang, a double major in Jazz Studies at USC Thornton and Business Administration at USC Dornsife, was selected as a winner of the 2023 Yamaha Young Performing Artists (YYPA) Competition. Presented by Yamaha Corporation of America, the YYPA Competition recognizes young musicians who study and excel in the jazz, classical and contemporary genres. The… Continue reading Saxophonist Simon Hwang wins 2023 Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition
Jenny Wong named chorus director of San Francisco Symphony
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music alumna Jenny Wong (MM ‘13, DMA ‘17) was named chorus director of the San Francisco Symphony. Wong is the fourth choral conductor to lead the ensemble in its 50-year history. “I know she’s going to bring a great deal of energy, expertise and joy to the Chorus in her… Continue reading Jenny Wong named chorus director of San Francisco Symphony
Camae Ayewa releases new album with Irreversible Entanglements
USC Thornton Composition program faculty member Camae Ayewa, also known as Moor Mother, released the album Protect Your Light with jazz group Irreversible Entanglements on September 8 via Impulse! Records. The album draws inspiration from a multitude of jazz improvisational styles as well as the shared personal histories within the band. “This record could be… Continue reading Camae Ayewa releases new album with Irreversible Entanglements
Cellist Ruslan Biryukov performed at TEDxTemecula
Cellist and USC Thornton non-degreed alumnus Ruslan Biryukov performed at TEDxTemecula, an annual conference showcasing thinkers, visionaries and performers. The conference took place at Old Town Temecula Community Theater on September 30. Biryukov is the principal cellist and artist-in-residence at the Temecula Valley Symphony. He is the founder of the Glendale Philharmonic Orchestra and Los… Continue reading Cellist Ruslan Biryukov performed at TEDxTemecula
Dean Jason King talks “Hip Hop 50” with USC News
On Sept. 18, USC News published an article on the “Hip Hop 50” event series presented by the USC Kaufman School of Dance and USC Visions and Voices. USC Thornton Dean Jason King was featured, describing “Hip Hop 50” as an expansive and immersive opportunity for students to learn about the genre. “Hip-hop is rooted… Continue reading Dean Jason King talks “Hip Hop 50” with USC News
“Sound Barrier” podcast selected as pick of the week by The Guardian
Sound Barrier: Sylvester, a Spotify original podcast hosted by USC Thornton Dean Jason King, was selected as one of The Guardian’s picks of the week for best podcasts on untold life stories. The first season of Sound Barrier launched in 2022 as an eight-part series on LGBTQ+ music icon Sylvester. In it, King explores Sylvester’s… Continue reading “Sound Barrier” podcast selected as pick of the week by The Guardian
Sharon Lavery and Veronika Krausas featured in Daily Trojan
On Sept. 11, the Daily Trojan reviewed the USC Thornton Symphony’s opening concert of the fall semester. The article featured interviews with resident conductor and Winds & Percussion chair Sharon Lavery, and Composition faculty member Veronika Krausas. Lavery spoke about the significance of each piece in the repertoire, such as “Caryatids,” which was composed by… Continue reading Sharon Lavery and Veronika Krausas featured in Daily Trojan
Bokyung Byun joins University of North Texas College of Music faculty
USC Thornton Classical Guitar program alumna Bokyung Byun (DMA ’20) has joined the University of North Texas College of Music as an assistant professor of guitar. Byun is the recepient of the 2023 Avery Fisher Career Grant. In 2021, she became the first woman in 20 years to win the Guitar Foundation of America competition.… Continue reading Bokyung Byun joins University of North Texas College of Music faculty
Dean Jason King co-curates Grammy Museum’s “Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit”
USC Thornton Dean Jason King co-curated the Grammy Museum’s “Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit,” which launched on October 7. He collaborated with fellow hip-hop experts Felicia Angeja Viator, Adam Bradley, Dan Charnas and Grammy Museum chief curator Jasen Emmons. According to The Associated Press, this exhibit celebrates the 50th anniversary of hip-hop’s global impact, featuring… Continue reading Dean Jason King co-curates Grammy Museum’s “Hip-Hop America: The Mixtape Exhibit”
Musicologist Nate Sloan quoted on ABC News
Nate Sloan, a USC Thornton Musicology faculty member, was quoted in an ABC News article about the virality of parody songs. The article examined a recent parody song gone viral, “Planet of the Bass” by DJ Crazy Times and Ms. Biljana Electronica, which mimics late 1990s and early 2000s Eurodance music. Sloan theorized that beyond… Continue reading Musicologist Nate Sloan quoted on ABC News