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
Music education and choral alumni win professional awards
Several USC Thornton alumni have won significant awards in recent months. Dr. Lorna Zemke (MM ’68, DMA ’73, music education), formerly the Director of Graduate Music at Silver Lake College in Wisconsin, was awarded the International Katalin Forrai Award by the International Kodaly Society (IKS) for her contributions to Early Childhood Music Education. Fellow Music… Continue reading Music education and choral alumni win professional awards
Jazz alumnus featured guest on Jazz Access podcast
Trumpeter and USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Walt Simonsen (MM ’06, DMA ’10) was a featured guest on the Jazz Access podcast, on which he talked about the experience of being a professional jazz musician in Los Angeles and reflected about his time at USC. Simonsen leads a trumpet quintet called Trumpetology, which will release… Continue reading Jazz alumnus featured guest on Jazz Access podcast
Alumni take positions with several American orchestras
Several USC Thornton alumni have been awarded orchestral positions. Percussion alumnus Tyler Stell (MM ’12, GCRT ’14) will join the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra as principal timpani, while fellow alumnus Matt Howard (BM ’12) will take a percussion position with the New World Symphony of Miami. Alumna Esther Armendariz (BM ’13, trombone) has won the position… Continue reading Alumni take positions with several American orchestras
Jazz alumna Kait Dunton releases new album with trioKAIT
Jazz pianist and composer Kait Dunton (DMA ’13), an alumna of the USC Thornton Jazz Studies program, will release a new album with her ensemble, trioKAIT. The group includes fellow alumnus Jake Reed (MM ’10, DMA ’13, Jazz Studies) on drums, as well as electric bassist Cooper Appelt. Dunton has previously released two albums of… Continue reading Jazz alumna Kait Dunton releases new album with trioKAIT