Student Accomplishments from the 2014-2015 Academic Year


Cardinal Winds sextet to perform in annual Clyde Montgomery Concert in Pasadena

March 18, 2015

The Cardinal Winds woodwind sextet will perform in the Clyde Montgomery Concert at Shumei Hall in Pasadena on March 29. The ensemble, which formed at USC Thornton in 2014, features Catherine Baker, flute (GCRT), Zachary Pulse, oboe (GCRT), Kelsi Doolittle, clarinet (MM), Alex Garcia, bassoon (MM ’13), Carrie Rexroat, horn (MM) and Hedy Lee, piano… Continue reading Cardinal Winds sextet to perform in annual Clyde Montgomery Concert in Pasadena


Piano student Josephine Yang featured as soloist in two orchestral concerts

March 11, 2015

USC Thornton piano student Josephine Yang (MM ’16) received glowing reviews for her recent performances with the Sierra Vista Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Filarmónica de Sonara under guest conductor Keitaro Harada. The Sierra Vista Herald reported that “The audience was not disappointed, as a long, loud standing ovation began even as the last note… Continue reading Piano student Josephine Yang featured as soloist in two orchestral concerts


Ines Thomé and Katina Mitchell win Thornton Outreach Chamber Ensemble Competition

March 10, 2015

USC Thornton students Ines Thomé (GCRT, DMA) and Katina Mitchell (DMA) won the Thornton Outreach Chamber Ensemble Competition with their ensemble Gifts from Over Sea. Thomé, a DMA student in Classical Guitar, and Mitchell, a DMA student in Vocal Arts, will perform upcoming concerts for school children in Los Angeles as Thornton Outreach Chamber Ensemble… Continue reading Ines Thomé and Katina Mitchell win Thornton Outreach Chamber Ensemble Competition


Corey Dundee premieres new composition with Taos Chamber Music Group

March 9, 2015

Thornton student Corey Dundee (MM ’16), currently pursuing a master’s degree in Composition from USC Thornton, has commissioned his first piece titled “Migration Miniatures,” which was premiered in January in Taos, New Mexico. The piece for flute, alto saxophone and was commissioned by the Taos Chamber Music Group (TCMG) with the support of the Nina… Continue reading Corey Dundee premieres new composition with Taos Chamber Music Group


The New York Philharmonic to premiere viola concerto by Julia Adolphe

March 4, 2015

The New York Philharmonic has commissioned USC Thornton DMA student Julia Adolphe to write a viola concerto for a future season. The work will be written for Cynthia Phelps, USC Thornton alumna and principal viola for the New York Philharmonic. Part of the League of American Orchestras initiative to support women composers through the Virginia… Continue reading The New York Philharmonic to premiere viola concerto by Julia Adolphe


USC Thornton sextet Cardinal Winds selected for Coleman Competition Finals and Plowman Competition Semi-Finals

March 3, 2015

USC Thornton woodwind sextet Cardinal Winds was selected for the Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competition Finals. Cardinal Winds was formed at USC in 2014. Its members are Catherine Baker, flute (GCRT), Zachary Pulse, oboe (GCRT), Kelsi Doolittle, clarinet (MM), Alex Garcia, bassoon (MM ’13), Carrie Rexroat, horn (MM) and Hedy Lee, piano (DMA ‘13). The Coleman… Continue reading USC Thornton sextet Cardinal Winds selected for Coleman Competition Finals and Plowman Competition Semi-Finals


Yoon-Hee Jung performs with Los Angeles Opera

February 24, 2015

USC Thornton DMA student Yoon-Hee Jung performed with the Los Angeles Opera as principal Baroque flute in the production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas. The show ran for six weeks last fall and was praised by the Los Angeles Times for its “exquisite Baroque miniature” that was “as gorgeous to behold as anything the company… Continue reading Yoon-Hee Jung performs with Los Angeles Opera


Vicente Chavarria awarded Belgian American Education Foundation Fellowship

February 23, 2015

USC Thornton DMA student in early music, Vicente Chavarria, was awarded a Belgian American Education Foundation Fellowship. Chavarria will study for a one-year postdoc at KU Leuven in Belgium with Professor David Burn, one of the foremost scholars of Renaissance polyphony in Europe. Chavarria serves as artistic director of Flos Campi, an early music ensemble… Continue reading Vicente Chavarria awarded Belgian American Education Foundation Fellowship


Alison Maggart presents paper at American Musicological Society

February 20, 2015

USC Thornton student Alison Maggart (PhD ’15) presented her paper “America’s Past(time): Baseball, Atemporality, and Milton Babbitt’s Whirled Series,” at the American Musicological Society as a part of the American Modernisms portion of the annual meeting. Maggart, currently in pursuit of a PhD in Historical Musicology, is a recipient of a University of Southern California… Continue reading Alison Maggart presents paper at American Musicological Society


Keri Hui wins first prize in Cœur d’Alene Symphony Young Artist Competition

February 6, 2015

Senior Keri Hui (BM ’15) was awarded first prize in the Cœur d’Alene Symphony Young Artist Competition in Idaho for her piano performance of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No.5. In addition to winning the competition, Hui was asked to perform with the orchestra in March. Hui, a student of Thornton faculty Norman Krieger, previously took… Continue reading Keri Hui wins first prize in Cœur d’Alene Symphony Young Artist Competition