USC Percussion Group noted in LA Times
The USC Percussion Group performed “Fear-Release” by Ellen Reid at the third-annual LA Phil’s Noon to Midnight event. The LA Times mentioned the performance in their review of the event, saying it was “captivating in its gentle rustling.” Also mentioned was Thornton alumna and faculty member Sara Gibson’s performance with HOCKET and percussionist Michael Basak’s… Continue reading USC Percussion Group noted in LA Times
Yura Lee
Violinist and violist Yura Lee is an associate professor of practice and the Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld Endowed Chair in String Instruction at the USC Thornton School of Music. One of the most versatile artists in the world, she is one of the few musicians who has mastery of both violin and viola and actively… Continue reading Yura Lee
Nicholas Méndez Del Valle wins Collegiate Concerto Competition
USC Thornton undergraduate pianist Nicholas Méndez Del Valle recently was the unanimous grand prize winner of the Santa Monica Symphony and Westside Music Foundation’s new Collegiate Concerto Competition. The Santa Monica Mirror profiled Del Valle for this accomplishment and mentioned his May 26 performance with the Santa Monica Symphony.
Karen Parks
Karen Parks is a Fulbright Scholar, Olivier Award nominee and Billboard chart-topper. She is also a master teacher and vocal consultant at YoungArts and President, CEO and Director of Stagebound. Her career highlights include performances with the San Francisco Opera, London, Budapest, Göteborg and New World Symphonies, Helsinki Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, and the APOLLO… Continue reading Karen Parks
Cameron Audras
Majors: Viola Performance; Environmental Studies Graduation year: 2021 Hometown: Agoura Hills, CA USC Organizations: Environmental Core; USC Photography Club; USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study Hashtag to describe yourself: #itsnotaviolin Describe your favorite USC Thornton experience so far. My favorite experience was performing the Star Wars soundtrack at Warner Brothers Studios through a USC Thornton Alumni-founded… Continue reading Cameron Audras
Anne Ranzani
Major: Bassoon Performance Graduation year: 2019 Hometown: Temecula, CA What was one of your favorite USC Thornton experiences? There are countless experiences I have been so grateful for at USC Thornton, but one of my favorites would have to be our Spring 2018 performance of Beethoven 9. Many of my closest friends from my first… Continue reading Anne Ranzani
Senior Logan Nelson wins at World Soundtrack Awards
USC Thornton Composition senior Logan Nelson has won the SABAM Award for the Most Original Composition by a Young International Composer from the World Soundtrack Academy. The annual competition calls for submissions of original symphonic film or TV scores and includes a cash prize of €2500. Nelson will have the opportunity to hear his winning… Continue reading Senior Logan Nelson wins at World Soundtrack Awards
Jeremy Frank
Acclaimed by Opera News for his precise and disciplined direction and his superbly trained chorus, Jeremy Frank was named Chorus Director at LA Opera in 2022. Since joining LA Opera in 2007 as Assistant Conductor, he served as Associate Chorus Director from 2013 to 2022 and has worked closely with the Domingo-Colburn-Stein Young Artist… Continue reading Jeremy Frank
Juan Pablo Contreras premieres new work with LACO
Tonight, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) will present the U.S. premiere of current doctoral student Juan Pablo Contreras’ harp concerto, Ángel Mestizo. The event, which begins at 8:00 pm at Hauser + Wirth in Downtown Los Angeles, is part of SESSION, a series in which LACO musicians collaborate with compelling composers in unique spaces. … Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras premieres new work with LACO
Thomas Mellan presents Ukrainian premiere of Messiaen organ work
Thomas Mellan (BM ’17), who is currently double majoring in Organ Studies and Composition at USC Thornton, recently undertook a Summer concert tour of France and the Ukraine, performing in spectacular churches and festival venues, including Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye and Saint-Martin d’Esquermes. In Lviv, Ukraine, Mellan presented a series of three concerts at the Lviv Organ Hall,… Continue reading Thomas Mellan presents Ukrainian premiere of Messiaen organ work