Aaron Fig
 
New York native Aaron Fig has spent his entire life on the largest stages in popular music. That journey took him to Los Angeles in 2021 to join the USC Thornton Popular Music program with an emphasis in drumming. While here, Aaron, who also plays guitar, has expanded his creative toolkit to include songwriting, singing and music production. His original songs take listeners on a journey that evokes the driving rock of the Foo Fighters infused with strong pop hooks, and a witty energy that permeates each track. After graduation, Aaron plans to take to the world stage not only as a multi-instrumentalist, but as a fierce creative who hopes to light up audiences in the meaningful way that only music can.
 
Instagram: @aaronfigmusic
 
 
Michele Lu
 
Michele Lu has always been a multifaceted artist, defying genres and creating out-of-the-box. Making beautiful indie pop/rock songs, Michele is able to combine elements from different genres to create a fresh, yet vintage sound. Michele released “Seattle” in 2021 and “Shotgun” in May of 2024, currently surpassing 400,000 streams on Spotify. Michele is a seasoned live performer and is making a name for herself. She’s a force to be reckoned with. Tonight she will be performing a song that will be on her upcoming EP.
 
Instagram: @mlchelelu
Spotify
management@michelelu.com
 
 
Jacob Evans
 
Hawaii native Jacob Evans came to Los Angeles in 2021 to attend the USC Thornton Popular Music program with an emphasis in bass. He’s enjoyed providing a foundational role in the rhythm section for a number of his colleagues’ songs and recordings. During his time in the program, Jacob has worked to expand his arsenal of tools to include guitar, songwriting and arranging. He has become a key collaborator for the members of his cohort. Jacob wants to do it all as he leaves the program, from touring and studio recording to songwriting and production.
 
 
Jack Munson
 
USC Thornton Popular Music program vocal performance major Jack “Snack” Munson has been writing songs since he began his USC journey. He is currently producing his own music for an upcoming “Snack Munson” artist EP to be released in late 2025. Munson characterizes his vibe as experimental electronic music with the soul of an indie songwriter. The two-song medley you’ll hear tonight features songs from his upcoming release.
 
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Max Bleefeld
 
USC Thornton Popular Music program drummer Max Bleefeld is from Blue Bell, Pennsylvania and moved to Los Angeles in 2021. He has been an integral member of so many of his colleagues’ artist projects while at USC Thornton. Most recently, Max is developing his own artistry via songwriting and collaboration. The song you’ll hear tonight, “What Plan?”, envisions a nasty hypothetical breakup and was written by him and lead vocalist CJ Periera, who is also featured with guitarist Manny Martinez on solos. As Max begins his career, he plans to pursue it all, from session playing to songwriting to touring on the world stage.
 
 
Manny Martinez
 
USC Thornton Popular Music program multi-instrumentalist Manny Martinez is a Los Angeles native who began his USC Thornton career on guitar, but has since expanded his performance portfolio to include a variety of other skills including bass guitar, keyboards, drums, songwriting and production. This evening, you’ll hear Manny’s contributions to his colleagues’ music through this multitude of abilities. Additionally, you’ll hear his breakout performance as a vocalist on his original song “News of Today”, which features a genre-bending set of colors framed by his rock-centric imagery. He is currently working on an artist project that is set to be released in late 2025.
 
 
Aminta Skye
 
Drawing inspiration from her intersecting identities as a queer Senegalese-American growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Aminta Skye is a 22-year-old pop/rock rising star. She joined the USC Thornton Popular Music program as a songwriter in 2021, and continued to define her songcraft through the pursuit of truth and self-interrogation. Aminta describes her original artistry as an homage to Paramore, Jeff Buckley and of course, Hannah Montana! Aminta’s thoughtful lyricism and instrumental arrangements demonstrate a well-versed foundation in the classics of indie, pop, post-punk, rock, and everything in between. Keep an ear out for Skye’s electrifying releases already on their way to you.
 
 
Tiffany Cruz Galaviz
 
Tiffany Cruz Galaviz is a first-generation college graduate from Los Angeles. Her journey in music began at the age of seven when her mom enrolled her in a Mariachi conservatory to play the guitar. It was there that she fell in love with the violin and singing, sparking a lifelong devotion to music. She joined the USC Thornton Popular Music program with an emphasis in vocal performance and she’s also completing a minor in Music Industry. Her original music encompasses the ever-present human themes of longing, heartbreak and love. Her songs are a beautiful confluence of R&B, Reggaeton, and traditional Boleros. After graduation, Tiffany will continue her career as a singer and violinist, and plans to independently release and publish her music to amplify her work, support other artists and empower and inspire the next generation.
 
Instagram: @tiffanygalaviz
 
 
Rómel Veal, Jr.
 
Rómel is a fan favorite drummer in the USC Thornton Popular Music program, who is also developing his own unique style as an artist. He’s been on the kit since the age of two, playing with his father, multi-instrumentalist, Rómel Veal Sr., who joins Rómel in his band on bass this evening. While Rómel’s earliest influences were funk and R&B, he’s exploring a genre-bending future that covers many styles. Rómel is currently touring as a drummer with artists like John B. and is developing a production company to support touring artists and filmmaking.
 
Instagram: @kingroro02
YouTube: @shokee1
 
 
Asia Fuqua
 
USC Thornton Popular Music program vocal performance major Asia Fuqua has been gracing stages since she was six years old. While at USC Thornton, she has honed her songwriting skills and collaborated with her peers to arrive at the original sound you’ll hear tonight. Asia’s music is a beautiful combination of indie, soul, and R&B, and the song you’ll hear also showcases her rock influences. In addition to her music, Asia is acting and pursuing a career in directing and storytelling. She’s currently working on an artist project EP set for release in late 2025.
 
Instagram: @asiafuqua
YouTube: @asiarochonfuqua
 
 
Lily Joyce
 
Lily Joyce, better known as LJ, has been a key performer in so many projects during her time at USC Thornton. Always the consummate collaborator, she is often a foundational element in her colleagues’ original projects. In addition to drumming, LJ is an MD and singer-songwriter who is a member of the band, Air Base Parkway with USC Thornton Popular Music program majors Nick Lynch, Ascher Belsky and alum Kai Hagen. Tonight’s performance will showcase her multifaceted abilities on and off the stage. Moving forward, LJ plans to pursue her own band project, while touring and MD’ing for other artists.
 
Instagram: @ljdrummer
www.ljdrummer.com
Spotify
 
 
Nick Lynch
 
Graduating senior and USC Thornton Popular Music program guitar major Nick Lynch has been an integral band member for many of the artists that you’ll hear tonight. Nick is also emerging as a solo artist that writes, sings and produces his own unique sound in rock with a modern sensibility. His original band, Air Base Parkway, just released their 3rd single, “Love You With the Lights On”, with more music set to be released soon. Nick plans to embark on his career as a player, producer and songwriter for his original music and a select group of his like-minded artists.
 
 
Sophia Rae
 
Sophia Rae writes the kind of songs that make you feel like you’re floating—weightless in a haze of memories, emotion, and things left unsaid. A singer-songwriter with an instinct for melody and a poet’s eye for detail, she blends lush, atmospheric soundscapes with lyrics that cut straight to the bone. As a pop songwriter, Sophia Rae is moving into music production to tell her stories in a more integrated way. She is considered by her colleagues as an inspired collaborator and is able to tell the truth of each song. Moving forward, Sophia Rae is determined to expand her catalogue both for music placement and as a recording artist. She plans to release an EP in the summer of 2025.
 
Instagram/TikTok: @sophiarae.music
 
 
Addie Teolis
 
Originally from Connecticut, Addie Teolis joined the USC Thornton Popular Music program as a multi-instrumentalist/bassist with an emphasis in voice. Having toured the U.S. and Europe with artists like Jon Anderson of Yes, she has extensive performance experience on the world stage. During her time at USC Thornton, Addie has expanded her skillset to include songwriting, arranging and screen scoring. The song you’ll hear tonight showcases Addie’s background in rock and soul music. She’s currently writing and recording new music with plans to release soon. As she prepares to leave USC, Addie’s quite sure that her future is on stage, in front of her band, and sharing her innermost truths with her audience.
 
Instagram/TikTok: @addiejeanmusic
YouTube: @adelineteolis
 
 
Vicari Lemar Benn
 
Pasadena native Vicari Benn joined the USC Thornton Popular Music program in 2022 with an emphasis in guitar. While in school, he has enjoyed bringing the funk to the grooves of many of his classmates’ original projects. His artistry and influences are broad and eclectic. Vicari also wants to acknowledge his family for their unwavering inspiration and steadfast support, and certainly in light of the recent tragedy of the Eaton Canyon fires. It’s through that support that Vicari will undoubtedly find success in this industry and his desire to live in the service of his musical truths.
 
 
Yeji Kim
 
Yeji Kim is a vibrant singer-songwriter and Los Angeles native who joined the USC Thornton Popular Music program with an emphasis in vocal performance. She’s gone on to become one of the most vibrant singer-songwriter-producers in our community, spanning genres from folk to hyper pop. Her music embodies both a confessional depth and playful energy. Most recently, her artistic reach extended globally as an emerging topliner and collaborator within the dynamic realm of K-pop and popular music. She has just co-written new releases with Rick Ross, imanbek, and KDDK as well as a song with Hwasa on her newest album. Upon graduation, she plans to take her place among the toplining hit-makers in the industry.
 
Instagram: @terako_._
jc@jchungmgmt.com
 
 
Keshell Phillips
 
Keshell, whose artist name is “Love Keyyz”, is a two-time charting independent singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist that crafts her art through a transparent lens of independent musicianship and creativity. Her fearless performances leave no stone unturned. While initially a self-taught musician, Keshell refined her creative abilities while at USC Thornton with mentors like Patrice Rushen. Her music is an unapologetic synthesis of R&B melodies, soulful lyrics and an edgy rock energy. As she prepares to graduate, Keshell will continue to shatter musical stereotypes by bringing her harp to center stage and to the forefront of her artistry.
 
Instagram/TikTok/YouTube: @LoveKeyyz
inquiries@lovekeyyz.com
 
 
Carmen Thomassiny
 
Carmen is a songwriter, composer, arranger and performer based in Los Angeles. Growing up in South Florida, she developed a love for fusion music as she studied an eclectic variety of genres including classical, jazz, rock, pop, and funk. As a USC Thornton Popular Music major, she has expanded her love and curiosity for the arts, studying under some music’s greatest names like Popular Music faculty Patrice Rushen and more. Carmen has devoted herself to writing, performing and recording original music that reflects meaningful life messages in hopes of inspiring and connecting with others. The song she’s performing tonight, “Fire”, is a metaphor for the forces of nature: beautiful but dangerous.
 
Instagram/TikTok: @songofcarmen
YouTube: @HeyCarmen
 
 
Zoe Upkins
 
USC Thornton Popular Music program vocal performance major Zoe Upkins grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and has been performing since a young age, with a career that spans musical theatre and acapella, taking her to international stages that include NBC’s The Voice. Her original music is a funky combination of pop, R&B, and soul. Zoe just returned from performing with John Batiste and Shania Twain at the Montreux Miami Jazz Festival. While at USC Thornton, Zoe has expanded her creative voice thru songwriting, piano, recording and producing, and is currently writing and recording music with plans for releasing songs in 2025.
 
 
Julia Levin (ft. Kyndall Jourdain)
 
New Jersey native Julia Levin joined the USC Thornton Popular Music program in 2021 with an emphasis in guitar. Over her time in the program, in addition to being a key collaborator for her colleagues as a guitarist, she has expanded her skillset that will ensure she’s at the center of every creative conversation. Julia is an MD, producing projects and shows for her colleagues through songwriting, creating backing tracks, playing guitar and orchestrating for a stage full of musicians. The medley you’ll hear this evening features her close collaborator, USC Thornton Music Production major Kyndall Jourdain, on “Love and the Weather” and “Reputation”, showcasing Julia’s arranging as music director.
 
Kyndall’s Instagram/TikTok: @jjjourdainnn