Thornton Community Engagement Program hosts music appreciation workshop for individuals with hearing loss

On Jan. 18, the USC Thornton Community Engagement Program (TCEP) partnered with the USC Bionic Ear Lab and Neighborhood Music School to host a music appreciation workshop for individuals with hearing loss.

Guest audiologist Brad Ingrao led attendees in an interval identification exercise, then began a blues jam with USC Thornton students Jay Maldonado (viola) and Danny O’Connell (cello) and former Bionic Ear Lab researcher Samantha O’Connell (violin). The team also did individual instrument demonstrations for attendees to familiarize themselves with each unique timbre. The session closed with a drum circle, facilitated by students Greg Cheong and Jessica Kao. Cheong and Kao introduced improvisatory concepts and led the group while attendees took turns soloing on the drums.

This workshop was the first in a series of music appreciation events for the hard-of-hearing community, with additional dates coming later this spring.

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Photo courtesy of USC Thornton Community Engagement Program.