Liam Kevany co-writes, co-produces and plays on Jackson Wang’s “Blow”
USC Thornton Studio Guitar program alumnus Liam Kevany (’15) co-wrote, co-produced and played bass on 88rising artist Jackson Wang’s newest single, “Blow.” In the first week since its premiere, the music video for the song garnered over 9 million views. Kevany, who studied studio and jazz guitar at USC Thornton, currently serves as Noah Cyrus’… Continue reading Liam Kevany co-writes, co-produces and plays on Jackson Wang’s “Blow”
April 12: Meet the New Faculty: Seth Parker Woods
Dear Thornton Community, USC Thornton is introducing a number of exceptional new faculty members to the school this semester, and I’d like to introduce acclaimed cellist Dr. Seth Parker Woods who joins the faculty as an assistant professor of practice, string chamber music and cello. A recipient of the 2022 Chamber Music America Michael Jaffee… Continue reading April 12: Meet the New Faculty: Seth Parker Woods
Los Angeles Guitar Quartet releases Opalescent
The GRAMMY Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, which features USC Thornton faculty members William Kanengiser and Scott Tennant, USC Thornton alumnus Matthew Greif (MM ’92) and John Dearman, has released its fourteenth album, Opalescent. This release marks the group’s 40th anniversary as a touring ensemble. All of the songs on the album were recorded at… Continue reading Los Angeles Guitar Quartet releases Opalescent
Alexis Marsh and Samuel Jones premiere “The Unknown Country” at SXSW
USC Thornton Screen Scoring alumni and composing duo Alexis Marsh and Samuel Jones (both GC ’10) premiered their score for The Unknown Country on March 13 at SXSW. The film was directed by Morrissa Maltz, a common collaborator of the duo. BMI interviewed Marsh and Jones about their experience with this movie, as well as… Continue reading Alexis Marsh and Samuel Jones premiere “The Unknown Country” at SXSW
Ennis Harris receives 2022 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award
Ennis Harris, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department, won a 2022 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award. This award is given to young jazz composers up to the age of 30 through a partnership between the ASCAP Foundation and The Herb Alpert Foundation. Each recipient is selected through a juried national… Continue reading Ennis Harris receives 2022 Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award
Ronald C. McCurdy and Anita Dashiell-Sparks present Nobody Knows: Voices Unmuted at the GRAMMY Museum
Ronald C. McCurdy, the assistant dean of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Initiatives for the USC Thornton School of Music, along with Anita Dashiell-Sparks, the associate dean of JEDI for the USC School of Dramatic Arts, has curated a collaborative interdisciplinary project entitled Nobody Knows: Voices Unmuted. This student-driven project features empowered voices from… Continue reading Ronald C. McCurdy and Anita Dashiell-Sparks present Nobody Knows: Voices Unmuted at the GRAMMY Museum
Meet the new faculty: Seth Parker Woods
As part of a new series this spring, USC Thornton is introducing a number of exceptional new faculty members at the school. Acclaimed cellist Dr. Seth Parker Woods joins the faculty as an assistant professor of practice, string chamber music and cello. A recipient of the 2022 Chamber Music America Michael Jaffee Visionary Award and hailed by The Guardian as “a cellist of power and grace” who possesses “mature artistry and… Continue reading Meet the new faculty: Seth Parker Woods
Seth Parker Woods
Hailed by The Guardian as “a cellist of power and grace” who possesses “mature artistry and willingness to go to the brink,” two-time Grammy-nominated cellist Seth Parker Woods has established his reputation as a versatile artist and innovator across multiple genres. Woods’ projects delve deep into our cultural fabric, reimagining traditional works and commissioning new ones to… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods
Nicole McCabe receives Jeff Clayton Memorial New Note Award from Los Angeles Jazz Society
Nicole McCabe, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department, is the 2022 recipient of the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Jeff Clayton Memorial New Note Award. As this year’s unanimously chosen winner, McCabe will compose and premiere a new suite of original music at the Angel City Jazz Festival.
Ted Hearne commissioned by UCLA to reimagine Stephen Sondheim composition
UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance commissioned USC Thornton Composition faculty member Ted Hearne to write a re-imagined version of a Stephen Sondheim piece. The song will be played by celebrated pianist Anthony de Mare in his performance of Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano on April 10 at 7 p.m.