Michael Kaufman is awarded the USC Thornton Performance and Presentation Award
Michael Kaufman (DMA, ’14) was awarded the USC Thornton Performance and Presentation Award. Assessed for both performance and oral presentation skills, the winners are given a very unique opportunity to perform public recitals while sharing with the audience varied information regarding the repertoire. Kaufman performed his recital at the Richard Nixon Library.
Shabnam Kalbasi wins first place and the “Artist of the Year”
Shabnam Kalbasi (MM, ’12) won first place and the “Artist of the Year” award in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Young Artist Competition. Kalbasi was awarded cash plus a professional recital. She also won the Brentwood-Westwood Symphony Orchestra Competition, and was the only singer to win. Included in her win was a… Continue reading Shabnam Kalbasi wins first place and the “Artist of the Year”
Ben Hopkins chosen to perform at the Valencia International Piano Academy in Valencia
USC Thornton undergraduate alum and graduate piano student Ben Hopkins (BM, ’12) was chosen to perform the 1st movement of Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3 with at the Valencia International Piano Academy in Valencia, Spain in 2012. He was named as a Keyboard Department Outstanding Graduate upon his graduation in 2012 and is continuing his… Continue reading Ben Hopkins chosen to perform at the Valencia International Piano Academy in Valencia
Guk Hui Han and Alina Roitstein participate in Wigmore Hall Song Competition
Guk Hui Han (DMA, ’14) and Alina Roitstein (MM, ’14) participated in the finals of the Wigmore Hall Song Competition finals in London. Out of 170 applicants, Han and Roitstein were among the 26 accepted.
Hans Kristian Goldstein wins the Schmidbauer International Competition for Strings in Nacodoches, Texas
Hans Kristian Goldstein (MM, ’15) won the Schmidbauer International Competition for Strings in Nacodoches, Texas. The prize included a cash award, a performance with Orchestra of the Pines, and a solo recital at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. (Picture uploaded on Thornton web)
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.
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
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.
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.
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