Clarence Penn
Clarence Penn, a highly accomplished jazz drummer, is renowned for his remarkable talents in music composition, production and education. Since his arrival in New York City in 1991, Penn has collaborated with an impressive list of A-list artists, including Ellis and Wynton Marsalis, Maria Schneider, Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves, Michael Brecker and Fourplay, among others.… Continue reading Clarence Penn
Derrick Lawrence
Derrick Lawrence, baritone, has sung roles on the stages of Philadelphia Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, Charlotte Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Piedmont Opera, Opera North, Zurich Opera House, Budapest, Wiesbaden, Düsseldorf, The Royal Danish Opera, Stuttgart, Luzern, Aachen, Freiburg, Statts Opera Berlin, Kaiserslautern, La Monnaie, Teatro Massimo, Opera Lyon and National Theater Brünn. Lawrence… Continue reading Derrick Lawrence
Emily Sung
Emily Sung is a Chinese American conductor, scholar and teacher from Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Before her appointment at USC Thornton, Sung previously served as the associate director of Choral Activities at Princeton University, the director of the Chamber Choir and Choral Society at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of the conducting faculty at… Continue reading Emily Sung
Amy Andersson
Amy Andersson is an internationally recognized, Grammy-winning conductor and producer. Named by British music critic Norman Lebrecht as “America’s most-watched symphony orchestra conductor,” Andersson has been praised for her dynamic musicality, expressive technique and cross genre repertoire. She has toured to over 22 countries conducting concerts and recording sessions in symphonic, operatic, film, musical theater… Continue reading Amy Andersson
Jason King
Jason King was named Dean of the USC Thornton School of Music on Jan. 23, 2023, and he will begin his tenure in Fall 2023. Jason King is currently chair of the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at Tisch School of the Arts New York University, where he also serves as a James Weldon… Continue reading Jason King
Otmaro Ruiz
Otmaro Ruiz is a jazz pianist with a diverse musical skill set, ranging from straight-ahead and pop-rock, to fusion, salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz. Of Venezuelan heritage, he worked intensively in the Venezuela jazz scene before moving to Los Angeles in 1989. He has since received an honorary doctorate in musical arts from Shepherd University, and… Continue reading Otmaro Ruiz
Gabriel Griswold (he/him)
Major(s): Composition Minor(s): Linguistics Class of 2024 Hometown: Cleveland, OH USC Organizations: Just Dance Club What is your favorite place on campus and why? The courtyard behind IYA. It is so beautiful and peaceful and I love seeing the plants slowly grow over the semester! What is your go-to place for a delicious snack/meal on… Continue reading Gabriel Griswold (he/him)
Daniela Santiago Martinez (she/her)
Major(s): Classical Guitar Minor(s): Music Recording Class of 2025 Hometown: Austin, TX USC Organizations: Mariachi SC, Thornton Community Engagement Program, and Society 53 What is your favorite place on campus and why? My favorite places would be the VPD building (mostly to study) and the Thornton Courtyard to enjoy the weather and listen to the… Continue reading Daniela Santiago Martinez (she/her)
Evan Llafet (he/him)
Major(s): Violin Performance, Vocal Arts Performance Minor(s): Class of 2023 Hometown: Vancouver, WA USC Organizations: Participated in Musical Theatre Repertory What is your favorite place on campus and why? The Thornton Lawn is a great place to eat lunch with friends, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy some time in nature What is your go-to… Continue reading Evan Llafet (he/him)
Rosie Ding (she/her)
Major(s): Choral Music, Public Relations Minor(s): Class of 2024 Hometown: Beijing, China USC Organizations: Trogons A Cappella, Student Chapter of ACDA at USC, USC Chamber Singers What is your favorite place on campus and why? Probably Wallis Annenberg Hall, because they have a nice café and great spots to study. What is your go-to place… Continue reading Rosie Ding (she/her)