Popular Music student Suemy Gonzales and her group Trio Ellas receive a 2012 Latin GRAMMY nomination
Popular Music student Suemy Gonzales (BM, ’13) and her group Trio Ellas received a 2012 Latin GRAMMY nomination for the album Con UstedeS…Trio Ellas. The band, along with popular music faculty Andy Abad, also backed indie singer-songwriter Ben Gibbard on Conan.
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/mary-mattei-150x150.jpg)
Arnold Geis and Courtney Taylor perform with the Los Angeles Opera Chorus
USC Thornton alumni Arnold Geis (MM, ’14) and Courtney Taylor (GCRT, ’13) performed with the Los Angeles Opera Chorus in the LA Opera’s production of Wagner’s “Der Fliegende Holländer” in 2013. Geis, a tenor, is a member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. He has been featured in box-office… Continue reading Arnold Geis and Courtney Taylor perform with the Los Angeles Opera Chorus
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Guitar_Thumb_03-200x200-150x150.jpg)
Christopher Garwood wins First Prize in the 2013 Schubert Club Scholarship Competition and the Young Artist Scholarship Competition
Senior Thornton undergraduate student Christopher Garwood (BM, ’15), who studies with USC faculty William Kanengiser, won First Prize in the 2013 Schubert Club Scholarship Competition and the Young Artist Scholarship Competition. He also recently won the 2013 7th annual Pacific Guitar Festival competition.
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/strings-150x150.jpg)
Alina Roitstein performs with the Toomai String Quintet on the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series
Alina Roitstein (MM, ’14) performed, with the Toomai String Quintet, in New York on the Carnegie Hall Neighborhood Concert Series to a sold out audience. A recording contract will yield a CD release of this performance and other songs.
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/music_art_1009-150x150.jpg)
Melody Chang awarded First Prize and the 2013 Chinese Work Award at the Third Hong Kong International Violin Competition
USC Thornton alum and violinist Melody Chang (MM, ’13) was awarded First Prize and the 2013 Chinese Work Award at the Third Hong Kong International Violin Competition. Chang currently serves as faculty at San Diego State University’s School of Music and Dance. Chang is a member of the Hausmann Quartet in residence at the San… Continue reading Melody Chang awarded First Prize and the 2013 Chinese Work Award at the Third Hong Kong International Violin Competition
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/pensis1-240x181-150x150.jpg)
Evan Pensis wins First Place at the Redlands Bowl Young Artist Competition
Evan Pensis (BM, ’16) won First Place at the Redlands Bowl Young Artist Competition and performed as a featured soloist at the Redlands Music Festival on July 2nd at the Redlands Bowl. He also won first prize in the Instrumental Division of the VS A-Kennedy Center California Young Artist Competition and performed at the VSA… Continue reading Evan Pensis wins First Place at the Redlands Bowl Young Artist Competition
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/9.23_NolanFrank-150x150.jpg)
Popular Music Junior Performs with Elton John at the Emmys
KCTV 5 News featured popular music junior Nolan Frank for singing backup to Elton John at the Emmy Awards. John’s performance was part of a tribute to Liberace whose life was told in the HBO biopic, Behind the Candelabra. Admitting his excitement and nervousness, Frank said it is an unbelievable honor to perform with the… Continue reading Popular Music Junior Performs with Elton John at the Emmys
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/mary-mattei-150x150.jpg)
Jose Gurria wins the Jazz Educators Network Composition Competition
Jose Gurria (DMA, ’13) won the Jazz Educators Network (JEN) Composition Competition. Gurria’s composition was performed and acknowledged at the annual JEN congress during the first week of January 2013, in Atlanta.
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lisacrawford-150x150.jpg)
Lisa Crawford selected to present at the 2013 California All State Music Educators Conference
Lisa Crawford (DMA, ’15) was selected to present at the 2013 California All State Music Educators Conference in Fresno. Her session was titled “Improvisation and Composing Opportunities in the K-12 Music Classroom.”
![](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/andrew-harrison-150x150.jpg)
Andrew Harrison wins the 2013 Sigma Alpha Iota Pasadena Music Scholarship Competition
Thornton student and saxophonist Andrew Harrison (DMA) won the 2013 Sigma Alpha Iota Pasadena Music Scholarship Competition. Harrison currently teaches at the Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles, and serves as artistic director of FIERO. Harrison has performed at locales such as Bass Performing Arts Center and the Disney Concert Hall and featured on the… Continue reading Andrew Harrison wins the 2013 Sigma Alpha Iota Pasadena Music Scholarship Competition