Tara Aesquivel
The arts have shaped Tara Aesquivel’s life and, through her work, she hopes to share the power of the arts with others. She is a classically-trained musician and earned a B.A. in Music from the University of Missouri–Kansas City. Convinced that she could have a broader impact offstage, Tara earned a Master’s degree in Arts… Continue reading Tara Aesquivel
Dean Jason King honors Sinéad O’Connor in NPR feature
In an NPR feature published on August 2, journalist and USC Thornton Dean Jason King honored the music and life of Irish singer Sinéad O’Connor, who died last week at age 56. Drawing on her 1993 performance of “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace,” King described O’Connor as a freedom singer akin to the… Continue reading Dean Jason King honors Sinéad O’Connor in NPR feature
Jacob Sustaita
Jacob Sustaita serves as the assistant conductor for Pacific Symphony, a position he has held since the fall of 2020. Sustaita also serves as music director and conductor for Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO), the premier training orchestra of Orange County, recognized as one of the most outstanding youth orchestras in the country. Sustaita is… Continue reading Jacob Sustaita
Tom Hall
Tom Hall is a Tasmanian, Australian electronic audio-visual artist who now calls Los Angeles, CA his home. With a two-decade career in the music industry across multiple continents, Hall’s journey has been expansive. His educational background includes graduating from the Australian National University, majoring in Media Arts and pursuing further studies in sound at Kyoto… Continue reading Tom Hall
Katie Stump, aka Blü Eyes, headlines sold-out tour
USC Thornton Popular Music program alumna Katie Stump (’16), also known as Blü Eyes, is going on her first tour around North America and Europe in fall 2023. With tickets selling out, Stump has announced additional shows for the tour in Paris and Bristol. She is scheduled to perform on September 27–December 9. In 2022,… Continue reading Katie Stump, aka Blü Eyes, headlines sold-out tour
Pianist Rixiang Huang releases album with KNS Classical
Pianist and USC Thornton keyboard studies alumnus Rixiang Huang (DMA ’23) released his album Eternal Soul with KNS Classical on May 24. The album features a prelude and fugue by Bach, followed by sonatas by Beethoven and Chopin.
Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance welcomes Ambrose Akinmusire as artistic director
Celebrated trumpeter, composer and USC Thornton Jazz Studies department alumnus Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07) was named artistic director of the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance. A graduate of the esteemed music education program, Akinmusire will return to lead the next generation of jazz artists. Founded in 1995, the Institute was previously known as the… Continue reading Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance welcomes Ambrose Akinmusire as artistic director
Ludwig Göransson composes score for Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumnus Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) composed the score for Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, which premiered in theaters on July 21. The film marks Göransson’s second collaboration with Nolan—the first being his soundtrack to Tenet. According to Variety, Göransson recorded the music for Oppenheimer in just five days. His team of musicians included Thornton Composition program… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson composes score for Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer”
Casey Stone receives Peabody Award for Disney+ series “Andor”
USC Thornton alumnus Casey Stone (’93) received a Peabody Award for his work as a score mixer on the Disney+ television series Andor. Stone has recorded and mixed scores for acclaimed productions such as Free Guy, Edge of Tomorrow and Frozen.
Midori named artistic director of Ravinia Steans Music Institute
Midori, a celebrated violinist and USC Thornton Judge Widney Professor of Music, has been named artistic director of the piano and strings program at Ravinia Steans Music Institute (RSMI). She will succeed esteemed violinist Miriam Fried, who has held the position since 1994. Her new appointment, effective fall 2023, will involve leading young professional musicians… Continue reading Midori named artistic director of Ravinia Steans Music Institute