Rod Gilfry makes debut as Claudius in Brett Dean’s “Hamlet” at The Met
On May 13, two-time GRAMMY nominee and Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera faculty member Rod Gilfry debuted as Claudius in the Metropolitan Opera Company premiere of Australian composer Brett Dean’s Hamlet, a bold adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless drama. Gilfry is an acclaimed worldwide performer in opera, musicals and cabaret. Throughout his career, he has performed… Continue reading Rod Gilfry makes debut as Claudius in Brett Dean’s “Hamlet” at The Met
Thornton Keyboard Studies program student Cameron Williams featured in The Daily Trojan
Cameron Williams, a USC Thornton student majoring in piano performance and computer science games, discussed his passions for both music and designing video games in an article for the Daily Trojan. Williams began studying piano with USC Thornton faculty member Bernadene Blaha when he was a senior in high school, and he has continued to… Continue reading Thornton Keyboard Studies program student Cameron Williams featured in The Daily Trojan
Yura Lee named principal violist of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
USC Thornton Strings Department Associate Professor of Practice Yura Lee was appointed principal violist of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO). Lee assumes her new post in the 2022-23 season. Lee is a recipient of the Lincoln Center’s prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, and at age 12, she became the youngest artist to ever receive… Continue reading Yura Lee named principal violist of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Popular music program students perform at BMI Pop Awards
On May 10, a group of USC Thornton Popular Music program students including Katherine Nerro, Mateo Gonzales, Aden Black, Jack Munson and Yeji Kim on vocals, Alec Romo-Nichols on drums, Romel Veal and Louie Pereira percussion, Kai Hagen on bass, Soona Lee-Tolley and Manuel Martinez on guitar and Sophie Kierszenbaum and Christopher Roberts on keyboards,… Continue reading Popular music program students perform at BMI Pop Awards
Thornton students and alumni win at Virginia Waring International Piano Competition
Several USC Thornton students and alumni won awards in the 2022 Virginia Waring International Piano Competition. Christopher Richardson, a master’s student in the Thornton Keyboard Studies program, won second place in the concerto division. Keyboard studies DMA candidate Andrew Boyle and USC Thornton alumnus Benjamin Hopkins (BM ’12, GC ’14, MM ’16) also won solo… Continue reading Thornton students and alumni win at Virginia Waring International Piano Competition
Eliza Petrosyan on tour with Tora-i
USC Thornton Popular Music program student and guitarist Eliza Petrosyan is currently on tour with R&B artist Tora-i, who is opening for Omar Apollo. Petrosyan has previously played with artists WizTheMC and Anna Duboc.
Rohan Chander releases debut album
USC Thornton doctoral student in composition Rohan Chander released his debut album, FINAL SKIN, on May 13 from Cantaloupe Records. Chander performed the new project at the kick-off of Wild Up’s newest LA Sunday series on May 15. Earlier this year, he was nominated for a 2022 Gaudeamus Award, one of the most prestigious recognitions… Continue reading Rohan Chander releases debut album
Music of Remembrance premieres new work by Nicolas Lell Benavides
On May 15, Music of Remembrance presents the world premiere of Tres Minutos, a one-act opera by Thornton composition doctoral student Nicolas Lell Benavides and librettist Marella Martin Koch, with dramaturg Hector Vega. The opera follows the story of a sister and a brother who wrestle with questions of identity, duty and belonging during their… Continue reading Music of Remembrance premieres new work by Nicolas Lell Benavides
Kate Crellin publishes debut choral compositions
Kate Crellin (’19), an alumna of the USC Thornton Department of Choral & Sacred Music, recently published her debut choral compositions with Heritage Music Press. The debut pieces include “Day of Fire and Sun,” “Give Me Your Stars to Hold” and “Home-Thoughts, From Abroad.” Crellin currently serves as the choir director for the GRAMMY Award-winning… Continue reading Kate Crellin publishes debut choral compositions
Henry Solomon performs with HAIM at the Hollywood Bowl
Saxophonist, composer, producer and USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Henry Solomon (’18) performed with HAIM during their sold-out homecoming show at the Hollywood Bowl on May 1. Solomon is currently on tour with the band and was previously featured in the music video for their single “Summer Girl.” Earlier this year, he released an EP… Continue reading Henry Solomon performs with HAIM at the Hollywood Bowl