Renée Elise Goldsberry to star in television comedy “Girls5Eva”
Jazz Studies alumna and Tony Award winner Renée Elise Goldsberry (MM ’97) will star in the upcoming Peacock musical comedy “Girls5Eva.” The series, which is being executive produced by Tina Fey, Robert Carlock and Meredith Scardino, follows a former one-hit-wonder girl group from the ’90s who reunite only to find that each member is in […]
Rixiang Huang awarded first prize in Chopin International Piano Competition
Pianist Rixiang Huang was awarded first prize in the Piano Masters category of the Chopin International Piano Competition. Held annually in Hartford, Connecticut, the competition was held virtually this year. Huang performed Chopin’s Barcarolle, Rondo in E-flat major, Scherzo No. 3 as well as Bartok’s Piano Sonata and Rachmaninoff’s Études-Tableaux, Op. 39 in the final […]
Musicology professor Lisa Cooper Vest publishes new book
Lisa Cooper Vest, a professor of Musicology at USC Thornton, recently published her book, “Awangarda: Tradition and Modernity in Postwar Polish Music,” with the University of California Press. The book explores how postwar Polish composers, scholars and political leaders created an avant-garde musical tradition. Vest frames this tradition in contrast to its counterparts in Western […]
Stop Asian Hate: A message from the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee
A message to the USC Thornton Community from the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Committee of USC Thornton. We are heartbroken and horrified by the tragedy that occurred this week in Atlanta, specifically aimed at women and members of the Asian-American community. We are grappling with feelings of grief, anger, and hopelessness—feelings further amplified […]
Alumni featured in Los Angeles Times about pandemic loss and hope
Three USC Thornton alumni were recently featured in a Los Angeles Times article on classical musicians’ stories of pandemic loss and hope. Alexander Blake (DMA ‘19), Melissa Tong (BM ‘00), and Jonathan Karoly (BM ‘97) shared their stories of overcoming struggles during the pandemic and embracing new opportunities. “This time has confirmed that I’m a […]
New Opera West releases animated opera short
New Opera West, a nonprofit opera company co-founded by Vocal Arts doctoral student Emily Thebaut and Composition faculty member Mark Weiser, recently released “Pepito.” The animated dog opera written by Nicolas Lell Benavides, a doctoral student in the Composition program, is currently streaming on Vimeo. The work was animated by Esperanza Guevara, Connor Jacobs, and […]
Michael Tilson Thomas and Los Angeles Philharmonic win at 2021 GRAMMY Awards
The 63rd annual GRAMMY Awards, held virtually on Sunday, March 14, brought wins for faculty and alumni at USC Thornton. Celebrated conductor Michael Tilson Thomas, a Thornton alum and Judge Widney Professor at USC, won for Best Orchestral Performance for the San Francisco Symphony’s “Copland: Symphony No. 3.” And the many alumni and faculty who […]
Morten Lauridsen named to Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center advisory board
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Composition and Thornton alumnus Morten Lauridsen has been named as one of the Honorary Advisory Board Members of the Oscar Hammerstein Museum and Theatre Education Center and will serve as a core member of the Honorary Board of Directors. Lauridsen is one of four prominent figures named to the new Board. […]
Celeste Butler and Raivyn Hearne compete on American Idol
Two artists from USC Thornton’s Popular Music program will compete on American Idol this season. Alum Celeste Butler (BM ‘19) and current student Raivyn Hearne both received the coveted golden ticket and will appear on the show’s 19th season, airing now. Butler was recently featured in a Daily Trojan article about her appearance on the […]
USC ACDA Student Chapter wins 2021 Outstanding Student Chapter Award
The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) recognized USC Thornton’s ACDA Student Chapter with the Outstanding ACDA Student Chapter Award for 2021. Each year the award is given to a student chapter that best supports the advancement of choral music through its activities. The USC ACDA Student Chapter is advised by Cristian Grases, chair of the […]