Molly Miller featured in Fretboard Journal
USC Thornton alumna and Studio Guitar program faculty member Molly Miller (’11, MM ’13, DMA ’16) was interviewed in the latest edition of the Fretboard Journal. The feature discusses instrumental storytelling and Miller’s early days with the guitar. “I think what I’ve learned this year in quarantine is, I’ve gotten to connect with people from… Continue reading Molly Miller featured in Fretboard Journal
Thornton Edge releases album of music by Thornton emeritus professor Frederick Lesemann
A new recording of the USC Thornton Edge, directed by Donald Crockett, celebrates the life and work of Frederick Lesemann, emeritus professor of composition at the USC Thornton School of Music. Frederick Lesemann: Songs and Concertinos features three concertinos for small ensembles, as well as a collection of three songs inspired by poetry written more… Continue reading Thornton Edge releases album of music by Thornton emeritus professor Frederick Lesemann
Nicole McCabe Quintet takes home first place at international jazz festival
The Nicole McCabe Quintet won the twelfth edition of the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award. USC Thornton Jazz Department master’s student Nicole McCabe leads the group along with fellow classmates Marcello Carelli, Ethan Chilton, Sam Reid and Thornton alumnus Logan Kane (’19). McCabe also won the award for best non-conservatory student soloist. The Keep… Continue reading Nicole McCabe Quintet takes home first place at international jazz festival
Thornton alumni perform with Beyoncé and Billie Eilish for the Oscars
USC Thornton School of Music alumni, including flutist Gina Luciani (MM ’13), pianist Elise Solberg (’18), viola player Karoline Menezes (MM ’15, GCRT ’17) and tubist India Anderson (‘21), joined Beyoncé for her performance of the Oscar-nominated song “Be Alive” from the film King Richard for the 2022 Oscars. Menezes and Luciani also performed with… Continue reading Thornton alumni perform with Beyoncé and Billie Eilish for the Oscars
JJ Kirkpatrick tours with Phoebe Bridgers
USC Thornton Jazz Studies Department alumnus J.J. Kirkpatrick (’14) heads out on tour with Phoebe Bridgers this April for her 2022 Reunion tour. Kirkpatrick toured with Bridgers last year and has previously toured with groups AJR and Brasstracks.
Michael Abels interviewed on TODAY show
Award-winning composer and USC Thornton Composition program alum Michael Abels (’84) was featured in a Today Show segment about how he’s breaking down barriers in Hollywood. The segment detailed Abels’ career from when he started working with director Jordan Peele on the horror hit Get Out to his involvement with the Composers Diversity Collective and… Continue reading Michael Abels interviewed on TODAY show
Matthew Daley featured in Los Angeles Sentinel
Matthew Daley, a doctoral student in the USC Thornton Organ Studies program, was featured in a Los Angeles Sentinel article about his performance at the 14th annual President’s Day Organ Festival. At the event, Daley played Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Partite diverse sopra: Sei Gegrusset, Jesu Gutig” on a pipe organ. Daley has previously performed around the… Continue reading Matthew Daley featured in Los Angeles Sentinel
Diana Newman makes her Metropolitan Opera debut
Soprano and USC Thornton alum Diana Newman (’12, MM ’14) made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Papagena in The Magic Flute on December 27. Newman previously debuted with the Dallas Opera as First Lady in The Magic Flute in 2019, and she is a recent graduate of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center.
Julie Landsman featured on the cover of International Musician
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion Department faculty member Julie Landsman was featured on the cover of International Musician, the official publication of the American Federation of Musicians. The feature celebrates Landsman’s decades-long legacy of pioneering achievement in a male-dominated field and how she’s set the tone for a generation of students. “I give my heart… Continue reading Julie Landsman featured on the cover of International Musician
Anders Peterson wins second prize in clarinet competition
USC Thornton clarinet performance major Anders Peterson won second prize in the classical clarinet category of the 2022 Vandoren Emerging Artist (VEA) Solo Competition. The VEA competition began in 2010 as a way to identify the next generation of great clarinetists and saxophonists and acknowledge them for their talent, hard work and artistry. As the… Continue reading Anders Peterson wins second prize in clarinet competition