Keyboard Collaborative Arts alum Jessica Hall takes on coaching role with Minnesota Opera
Jessica Hall (MM ’09, GCRT ’11, DMA ’14, Keyboard Collaborative Arts), a graduate of the USC Thornton Keyboard Collaborative Arts program, will serve as Minnesota Opera’s Resident Artist pianist and coach for the 2015-16 season. The highly competitive Resident Artist Program is a professional training ground for exceptional artists and musicians. Hall previously worked as… Continue reading Keyboard Collaborative Arts alum Jessica Hall takes on coaching role with Minnesota Opera
Alan Chan leads his ensemble in performance at El Camino College
USC Thornton alumni Alan Chan (DMA ’08), founder of the Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra, led the group in a performance at the El Camino College Center for Performing Arts on March 6. The band’s debut album Shrimp Tale received rave reviews from several critics. “Quick, clever, and well-executed shifts in mood, meter, and musical language… Continue reading Alan Chan leads his ensemble in performance at El Camino College
Cardinal Winds sextet win Grand Prize at Plowman Chamber Music Competition
The Cardinal Winds woodwinds sextet has been awarded the Grand Prize in the 2015 Plowman Chamber Music Competition in Columbia, MO. The ensemble, which formed at USC Thornton in 2014, features Catherine Baker, flute (GCRT), Zachary Pulse, oboe (GCRT), Kelsi Doolittle, clarinet (MM), Alex Garcia, bassoon (MM ’13), Carrie Rexroat, horn (MM) and Hedy Lee,… Continue reading Cardinal Winds sextet win Grand Prize at Plowman Chamber Music Competition
Composer Zhou Tian receives second Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra commission
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra recently commissioned a new work by USC Thornton alum Zhou Tian (DMA ’11). His Concerto for Orchestra will be premiered under the orchestra’s music director, Louis Langrée, in the 2015-16 season finale. The CSO previously commissioned Tian’s Poem from a Vanished Time in 2013. Tian’s works have been performed by many… Continue reading Composer Zhou Tian receives second Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra commission
Gail Samuel appointed Executive Director of Los Angeles Philharmonic
USC Thornton graduate and Board of Councilors member Gail Samuel (BA ’89, psychology & music, MBA ’02) has been promoted to the position of Executive Director with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association. She will serve as acting president and chief executive while current president and CEO Deborah Borda is on sabbatical in the fall. Samuel… Continue reading Gail Samuel appointed Executive Director of Los Angeles Philharmonic
Thornton alumni perform on Grammy winning Partch album
USC Thornton alumni Alison Bjorkedal (MM ’05, DMA ’08, harp) and Nick Terry (DMA ’11, percussion) performed on the Partch ensemble’s Grammy award-winning album, Plectra & Percussion Dances. In addition to performing with Partch, Bjorkedal teaches harp and is a member of Southwest Chamber Music, Golden State Pops Orchestra and MUSE/IQUE. Terry performs with the… Continue reading Thornton alumni perform on Grammy winning Partch album
Robert Istad named artistic director of Pacific Chorale
Choral and Sacred Music graduate, Robert Istad (DMA ’06) will become artistic director of the Pacific Chorale. Istad has served 10 years as assistant conductor under the current artistic director, John Alexander, who will retire in 2017. Istad currently holds the position as artistic director of the Long Beach Camerata Singers and the Long Beach… Continue reading Robert Istad named artistic director of Pacific Chorale
Jacquelynne Fontaine starring as Carlotta Giudicelli in the North American tour of Phantom of the Opera
USC Thornton alumna Jacquelynne Fontaine (MM ’08) is starring as Carlotta Giudicelli in the North American tour of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Phantom of the Opera. Fontaine has appeared in many productions including The King and I, La Boheme and The Sound of Music. The tour began this January in Florida and will stop in… Continue reading Jacquelynne Fontaine starring as Carlotta Giudicelli in the North American tour of Phantom of the Opera
Popular Music alums Annie Dingwall, Barry Harris, and current student Nolan Frank produce holiday song benefiting GRAMMY Camp
Popular music alum Barry Harris (BM ’13) and current student Nolan Frank (BM ’15) produced the annual National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences’ holiday card single. The song, This Time of Year, was written and performed by fellow Popular Music graduate, Annie Dingwall (BM ’13). The proceeds from the single’s sales will benefit the… Continue reading Popular Music alums Annie Dingwall, Barry Harris, and current student Nolan Frank produce holiday song benefiting GRAMMY Camp
Weicheng Zhao and Fang Gao to perform at Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium
Current USC Thornton doctoral candidate Weicheng Zhao (MM ’14, DMA ’16) is one of two organists to perform on the Young Artists’ Platform during the Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium. His wife Fang Gao (GCRT, ’16), who is currently a student in the Early Music program, will join him in a concert at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer in… Continue reading Weicheng Zhao and Fang Gao to perform at Calgary Organ Festival and Symposium