Juan Pablo Contreras selected for New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices program
Juan Pablo Contreras, a doctoral candidate in Composition and Latin GRAMMY nominee, has been named one of six composers in New Music USA’s 2020 Amplifying Voices program. With support from Sphinx Venture Fund, the program partners with six lead orchestras to co-commission new orchestral works by composers whose voices are not often represented in orchestral… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras selected for New Music USA’s Amplifying Voices program
Doyoung Park wins online Quebec Music International Competition
Pianist Doyoung Park, a graduate certificate candidate in Keyboard Studies, was recently awarded First Prize in the Professional category of the online 2020 Quebec Music Competition. Park won the category with her performance of the fourth movement of Samuel Barber’s Piano Sonata in E-flat minor, Op. 26. Watch the performance that won Park her first… Continue reading Doyoung Park wins online Quebec Music International Competition
Ayoni Thompson interviewed by V Magazine
USC Thornton Popular Music student Ayoni Thompson was interviewed by V Magazine about her music and inspiration. The artist was the “Pick of the Week” in the magazine’s Creativity 01 series highlighting up-and-coming creatives. Thompson discusses how she got her start writing music, artists that have inspired her sound, and her creative process while writing… Continue reading Ayoni Thompson interviewed by V Magazine
Luca Mendoza and USC Thornton jazz ensembles win in DownBeat’s 43rd Annual Student Music Awards
The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, the Thornton Monday Night Band, and undergraduate pianist and composer Luca Mendoza were winners in DownBeat’s 43rd Annual Student Music Awards. The awards will be published in DownBeat’s June issue. The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, led by Bob Mintzer, won in the category Large Jazz Ensemble for Graduate College Outstanding… Continue reading Luca Mendoza and USC Thornton jazz ensembles win in DownBeat’s 43rd Annual Student Music Awards
Doyoung Park and Keke Luo among winners of American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition
Two students of USC Thornton’s Keyboard Studies program were named among thirteen First Place Winners of the College Students and Professional Musicians category of the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition: graduate certificate candidate Doyoung Park, a student of Daniel Pollack and Mikhail Korzhev, and master’s student Keke Luo, a student of Bernadene Blaha.… Continue reading Doyoung Park and Keke Luo among winners of American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition
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