Vocal Arts alumna studies relationship between rhythm skills and language development
USC Thornton Vocal Arts alumna Dr. Reyna Gordon (’01) has been awarded a National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) grant to study the relationship between rhythm skills and language development. Gordon, a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology and at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, has… Continue reading Vocal Arts alumna studies relationship between rhythm skills and language development
Composition alumnus Roger Zare awarded Copland residency
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Roger Zare (BM ’07) was selected for a 2015-16 Copland House Residency Award. The residency, which takes place at composer Aaron Copland’s historical home and studio in Westchester County, New York, invites emerging and mid-career composers to live and work at the residence for three to eight weeks. Zare recently won… Continue reading Composition alumnus Roger Zare awarded Copland residency
Greg Reitan alumni jazz trio reviewed in ArtsJournal
Jazz pianist and USC Thornton alumnus Greg Reitan (’96, composition) was reviewed on the ArtsJournal blog for his new album, Post No Bills, which features fellow alumni Jack Daro (BA ’93, MM ’99) on bass and Dean Koba (MM ’93) on drums. The album has been well-received by critics. Reitan studied composition at USC Thornton… Continue reading Greg Reitan alumni jazz trio reviewed in ArtsJournal
Composition alum Roger Zare wins first prize for orchestral work
USC Thornton Composition alumnus Roger Zare (BM ’07) won first prize at the 3rd Senzoku Contemporary Composition Competition for his orchestral composition, Tectonics. The competition was hosted by the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music in Tokyo, Japan and Zare’s work was performed by the Senzoku New Philharmonic Orchestra.
Music Industry alum co-produces new dance single
USC Thornton Music Industry alumnus Maxwell Goldman (BS ’15) has co-written and co-produced a new single for British dance music artist Gareth Emery. “Hands” was a collaboration with musicians Alastor (Fis Shkreli) and London Thor and received a wide digital release last month. The track was performed by Gareth Emery at the closing ceremony of… Continue reading Music Industry alum co-produces new dance single
Alumnus Ben Pila to perform before Pope Francis at September 11 Memorial event
Classical guitarist and USC Thornton alumnus Ben Pila (DMA ’11) has been invited to perform for Pope Francis during the pontiff’s Sept. 25 visit to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. Pila has become a semi-regular presence at the memorial’s anniversary events, performing for dignitaries including Presidents Barack Obama and… Continue reading Alumnus Ben Pila to perform before Pope Francis at September 11 Memorial event
Keyboard and saxophone alums prepare for Carnegie Hall recital
USC Thornton Keyboard Collaborative Arts alumna ChoEun Lee (DMA ’13) performed at the inaugural concert of the Lotusflower New Music Project in March, hosted by the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. Lotusflower is a series focused around artists and productions that embrace multiculturalism. In May, Lee prepared and conducted a contemporary Latin American opera… Continue reading Keyboard and saxophone alums prepare for Carnegie Hall recital
Argus appointed quartet-in-residence at Yale School of Music
The Los Angeles-based Argus Quartet, which includes three USC Thornton students and alumni – Clara Kim (DMA ’15, violin), Jason Issokson (MM ’10, violin) and Diana Wade (GCRT ’13, viola) – has been appointed the quartet-in-residence at the Yale School of Music. The ensemble will be mentored by the Brentato Quartet and will coach undergraduate… Continue reading Argus appointed quartet-in-residence at Yale School of Music
Horn alumna Laura Brenes releases debut album
French Horn player and USC Thornton alumna Laura Brenes (MM ’02) has released her debut album, “a Time and a Place,” which features original music composed for her by fellow alumni Bear McCreary (BM ’02, composition), Daniel James Chan (GCRT ’08, SMPTV), Chris Bacon (GCRT ’05), SMPTV, and Damian Montano (MM ’02, bassoon). Supporting ensembles… Continue reading Horn alumna Laura Brenes releases debut album
T.J. Tesh joins fellow trumpet alumnus in U.S. Naval Academy Band
Trumpeter and USC Thornton alumnus T.J. Tesh (DMA ’12) was recently awarded membership in the United States Naval Academy Band, a premiere, Washington D.C.-based military ensemble. Tesh will perform with the organization’s concert band, jazz ensemble, brass quintet, brass ensemble, and ceremonial units. Tesh also joins fellow Thornton alumnus Matt Harriman (DMA ’12, trumpet), who… Continue reading T.J. Tesh joins fellow trumpet alumnus in U.S. Naval Academy Band