Author Archive


Photo of Daniel James Chan

Daniel James Chan produces “The Mixtape” for DC’s Legends of Tomorrow

October 5, 2021

Screen Scoring alum Daniel James Chan (’08) has produced an album of original songs and arrangements from the TV series “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.”


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Olivia Morreale interviewed on American Songwriter’s “Bringin’ it Backwards” Podcast

October 4, 2021

USC Thornton alum Olivia Morreale (BM ‘18) was interviewed on American Songwriters’ podcast series “Bringin’ it Backwards.” In the episode, Morreale discussed her musical upbringing and how she started songwriting and collaborating with fellow alum Eli Koskoff (BM ’19, Jazz Studies) on her new EP, Space Dreams. The EP features four tracks and draws from… Continue reading Olivia Morreale interviewed on American Songwriter’s “Bringin’ it Backwards” Podcast


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Toronto Mendelssohn Choir names Irene Gregorio as collaborative pianist

October 1, 2021

The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir has named USC Thornton alum Irene Gregorio (DMA ’12) as its new collaborative pianist.


Portrait of Leaha Maria Villareal against white backdrop

DMA student and composer Leaha Maria Villarreal premieres art song with Prima Voce Emerging Artists Fall Concert Series

September 29, 2021

DMA student and composer Leaha Maria Villarreal premieres art song with Prima Voce Emerging Artists Fall Concert Series.


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Thornton composition faculty member Camae Ayewa profiled in the New York Times

September 27, 2021

Composition faculty member Camae Ayewa was recently profiled by The New York Times. The article discusses the various artistic endeavors Ayewa has explored throughout her career, her most recent album and her journey into the world of hip-hop.


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Choral Music master’s student Duncan Tuomi wins American Choral Directors Association award

September 22, 2021

Duncan Tuomi, a Master’s student in Choral Music and associate conductor of the USC Thornton University Chorus, took home top honors at the 2021 ACDA Raymond W. Brock Memorial Student Composition Competition for his submission, “The Rose that Bare Jesu.”


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West Edge Opera commissions Nicolas Lell Benavides to write “Dolores,” an opera about labor organizer and activist Dolores Huerta

September 20, 2021

Post-doctoral candidate Nicolas Lell Benavides has been commissioned by Berkeley’s West Edge Opera to write “Dolores,” an opera about United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta.


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Angela Meade headlines Wexford Festival Opera 2021 season

September 16, 2021

An operatic soprano, Meade has won more than 50 vocal competitions, including the grand prize at the 2009 Montreal International Musical Competition.


Split screen photo of Carlos Rafael Rivera and Ludwig Göransson

Two Screen Scoring alums take home 2021 Creative Arts Emmy Awards

September 13, 2021

Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) won his second Emmy for his work on Disney+’s “The Mandalorian,” with Carlos Rafael Rivera (DMA ’10) earning his second Emmy with a win for “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix.


Photo of two violinists posing outside their VW bus

Two alums celebrate one year on the road with win from San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Award for streaming documentary series

September 12, 2021

Over the past 12 months, USC Thornton alumni and violinists Etienne Gara (GCRT ’13) and YuEun Kim (GCRT ’15, AD ’17) have traveled from the Mexican border to Canada in “Boris,” the 1971 Volkswagen bus, to bring “music and human bonding at safe distances” to non-traditional venues like organic farms and wineries. The two founding… Continue reading Two alums celebrate one year on the road with win from San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Award for streaming documentary series