Author Archive


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July 13, 2023

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Photo of Ernest Harrison smiling.

Ernest Harrison joins Cal Poly Pomona Department of Music faculty

July 13, 2023

In fall 2023, USC Thornton choral conducting alumnus Ernest Harrison (DMA ’23) will join Cal Poly Pomona as an assistant professor of music. Harrison will teach a variety of courses, specializing in ethnic studies and music of the African diaspora.


Jane Davidson smiling into the camera in front of a blue painting.

Jane Davidson 

July 12, 2023

Jane Davidson is an attorney who focuses her practice on Entertainment Law and Litigation at Munck Wilson Mandala.  After graduating from USC Thornton’s Music Industry program, Davidson worked full-time in the music industry while pursuing her law degree from Loyola Law School’s evening program.   As a litigator, her primary focus area is intellectual property in entertainment… Continue reading Jane Davidson 


Laura Leigh Spillane smiling and wearing a black concert outfit.

Laura Leigh Spillane appointed interim associate director of Choral Activities at University of Tennessee

July 11, 2023

Laura Leigh Spillane, a USC Thornton choral music doctoral candidate, was appointed as interim associate director of Choral Activities at University of Tennessee School of Music. Beginning August 1, Spillane will teach courses in choral music education and conduct the University of Tennessee Concert Choir.


Headshot of Isaac Io Schankler.

The New York Times highlights Isaac Io Schankler’s work with A.I.

July 6, 2023

On June 10, The New York Times highlighted USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Isaac Io Schankler (DMA ’10) in an article about recent developments in artificial intelligence and classical music. Schankler, a composer and music professor at Cal Poly Pomona, used Realtime Audio Variational autoEncoder (R.A.V.E) onstage during Jen Wang’s performance of Alvin Lucier’s “The… Continue reading The New York Times highlights Isaac Io Schankler’s work with A.I.


Photo of Joe Poindexter wearing a mustard colored sweater standing in front of a grey wall and smiling at the camera.

Joe Poindexter

July 5, 2023

Joe Poindexter is the chief communications officer and executive vice president of digital at PULSE Music Group, an independent music publisher, record label and music services company based in Los Angeles. The company’s roster of talented artists, producers and songwriters includes Brent Faiyaz, James Blake, Turnstile, Kehlani, FNZ, Ty Dolla $ign, Cordae, Tyler Johnson, Freddie… Continue reading Joe Poindexter


Photo of violinist Bing Wang smiling.

Bing Wang receives honorary degree from Manhattan School of Music

July 5, 2023

World-renowned violinist and USC Thornton Strings faculty member Bing Wang received an honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree from her alma mater, Manhattan School of Music (MSM), at their commencement ceremony on May 18. Wang earned a master’s degree from MSM in 1991 under the tutelage of Thornton Jascha Heifetz Chair in Violin, Glenn Dicterow.… Continue reading Bing Wang receives honorary degree from Manhattan School of Music


Photo of a harp on stage at a classical concert hall.

Kaitlin Miller wins first prize in 25th American Harp Society National Competition

July 4, 2023

Kaitlin Miller, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Strings department, has won first prize in the Young Professional division of the 25th American Harp Society (AHS) National Competition. The competition was held May 31-June 4 at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. In 2019, Miller won the AHS in Dallas Scholarship Competition. As this… Continue reading Kaitlin Miller wins first prize in 25th American Harp Society National Competition


Music scholar and educator Beatriz Ilari smiling into the camera in black and white.

Beatriz Ilari named Researcher of the Month by Tooled Up Education

July 1, 2023

Beatriz Ilari, chair of the USC Thornton Music Teaching & Learning program, was named Researcher of the Month by Tooled Up Education. The U.K. organization published an article and podcast episode on her latest research study, exploring the benefits of music education on young people’s social and emotional development. Ilari and her team of researchers,… Continue reading Beatriz Ilari named Researcher of the Month by Tooled Up Education


Screenshot of a scene from the film "World's Best" with a young person and a middle aged person in a club.

Raashi Kulkarni and Jongnic Bontemps co-composed score for Disney+’s “World’s Best”

June 29, 2023

USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumni Raashi Kulkarni (MM ’18, GCRT ’16) and Jongnic Bontemps (GCRT ‘12) co-composed the original score for Disney+’s new hip-hop musical World’s Best, which premiered on June 23. Kulkarni, the first South Asian woman to score a Disney film, partnered with Bontemps to create a score that blends Western orchestral… Continue reading Raashi Kulkarni and Jongnic Bontemps co-composed score for Disney+’s “World’s Best”