Rina Ritivoiu and Micah Bland publish articles in Choral Journal
Choral & Sacred Music alum Rina Ritivoiu (DMA ’19) and doctoral candidate Micah Bland have published articles in the latest issue of Choral Journal, the official publication of the American Choral Directors Association. Ritivoiu’s article, entitled “Choir as a Caretaker of Caregivers,” and Bland’s article, entitled “Mouthing the Text: The Advantages and Disadvantages,” can be… Continue reading Rina Ritivoiu and Micah Bland publish articles in Choral Journal
Polina Cherezova publishes feature on Conrad Tao
USC Thornton Master’s student Polina Cherezova talked with pianist Conrad Tao ahead of his Power to the People! festival concert with the LA Phil. The feature was published on the LA Phil’s Watch & Listen home page. “Conrad Tao, the internationally acclaimed composer-pianist, lives in an imaginative cosmos of his own, where vulnerability reigns,” Cherezova wrote.… Continue reading Polina Cherezova publishes feature on Conrad Tao
Nicholas Bentz wins first prize at Tribeca New Music’s Young Composer Competition
USC Thornton Composition master’s student Nicholas Bentz was announced as the first prize winner of the Tribeca New Music 2020 Young Composer Competition in Division 1, for ages 22-35. Bentz’s winning piece is titled “Glimpse,” a quartet for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. In addition to a monetary award, “Glimpse” will be performed at the… Continue reading Nicholas Bentz wins first prize at Tribeca New Music’s Young Composer Competition
Max Opferkuch appears on Performance Today for radio interview and performance
Max Opferkuch, award-winning clarinetist and USC Thornton student, appeared on Minnesota Public Radio’s Performance Today program, as a 2019-2020 Young Artist In Residence. Opferkuch was interviewed by host Fred Child, and performed two pieces in the studio accompanied by pianist and Thornton DMA student Heejung Ju (GCRT ’13, MM ’16). Along with their appearance on… Continue reading Max Opferkuch appears on Performance Today for radio interview and performance
Celka Ojakangas selected as resident composer for Mizzou International Composers Festival
Composition alum and current DMA candidate Celka Ojakangas (MM ’18) has been selected to appear as one of eight resident composers at the 2020 Mizzou International Composers Festival (MICF). Ojakangas was selected from among a record 346 entrants from 24 countries. As a resident composer, Ojakangas will give presentations about her work, take composition lessons… Continue reading Celka Ojakangas selected as resident composer for Mizzou International Composers Festival
Katelyn Vahala wins first prize at Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition
Keyboard Studies alum and current graduate student Katelyn Vahala (BM ’18) has recently won first prize at the Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition, and also won the prize for best contemporary performance. The international competition is named for the late Rosalyn Tureck, an acclaimed pianist, teacher, conductor, scholar, and author, who was known for her… Continue reading Katelyn Vahala wins first prize at Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition
Adeliia Faizullina named winner of 2020 Celebrate Asia Composition Competition
Composition doctoral candidate Adeliia Faizullina was announced as the winner of the Seattle Symphony’s Celebrate Asia Composition Competition, a competition that invites submissions from emerging composers who find inspiration and influences in Asian culture, music and traditions. Her piece, “Tatar Folk Tales,” will be performed by the Seattle Symphony at the Celebrate Asia concert on… Continue reading Adeliia Faizullina named winner of 2020 Celebrate Asia Composition Competition
Erna Vala performs at Icelandic Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Keyboard Studies doctoral student Erna Vala recently performed at the Icelandic Embassy in Washington, D.C. at the reception of the Fulbright Artic Initiative Symposium. Vala is a Fulbright scholar from Iceland and talented pianist who studies with faculty member Bernadene Blaha. The Fulbright Arctic Initiative works to provide the foundation for collaboration of all Arctic… Continue reading Erna Vala performs at Icelandic Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Amir Kelly and Ayoni Thompson named among Best Young Music Artists of 2019
Two USC Thornton Popular Music students, Amir Kelly and Ayoni Thompson, were recently named to PopSugar Magazine’s list of Best Young Music Artists 2019. The list highlights talented up-and-coming artists who are soon to make waves in pop music. Senior Amir Kelly creates music he describes as “Blindian Pop,” a nod to his Black and… Continue reading Amir Kelly and Ayoni Thompson named among Best Young Music Artists of 2019
Ernest Harrison named Music Director and Conductor of Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Doctoral Candidate in Choral Conducting at USC Thornton Ernest Harrison has been named the Music Director and Conductor of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA). Ernest will begin working with GMCLA in December to work on season concert plans, and will begin his full-time podium position beginning in January. His first main-season concert… Continue reading Ernest Harrison named Music Director and Conductor of Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles