Major(s): Popular Music Performance
Minor(s): Music Industry
Class of 2024
Hometown: Moraga, CA
USC Organizations: USC Thornton J.E.D.I. Ambassador Committee, Kappa Alpha Theta
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
The USC School of Cinematic Arts building. It’s so peaceful and a nice contrast to USC Thornton, where I always am, but also close enough that I can get there easily between classes.
What is your go-to place for a delicious snack/meal on or around campus?
Go Greek Frozen Yogurt in Santa Monica or Beverly Hills!
What is your favorite thing about Los Angeles?
I love the hustling and bustling feeling about Los Angeles. There is always something exciting happening and you can never get bored here.
What advice would you share with students applying to music schools right now?
Don’t rush! I know leaving for college is such an exciting prospect and you sometimes wish the day could come faster, but once you get to college, you might wish you treasured that time at home a little more. I certainly feel that way from time to time because no matter how fun college is, I miss some aspects of my life a couple years ago! Just take your time and be grateful for what you have now before you start wishing for the future. I know it sounds cheesy but it’s so true!
Why did you choose USC Thornton?
The USC Thornton School of Music was a dream school for me from the moment I heard about it. Around the time of my Freshman year of high school, I was becoming pretty sure that songwriting was what I wanted to do as my career. As many do at this point in their education, I began to research college programs that would cater to my interests. Berklee School of Music was one that I was always aware of because of its long standing reputation and list of impressive alumni. I also knew of a couple other programs around the country such as Belmont University’s School of Music in Nashville and The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at NYU Tisch. Although these schools offered great experience and learning that would have all been incredible opportunities, none of them seemed to be quite as perfect as USC Thornton.
First of all, the list of faculty featuring Patrice Rushen and Paul Jackson Jr. was undeniably attractive. Coming from a non-musical family, the idea of being able to be mentored by people with years and years of experience and knowledge in all facets of the industry was enticing. What also set USC apart from other similar schools for me was the zipcode. Not only would I be able to get an enriching musical education alongside and under the best of the best (students and professors), but I would be doing it in the music hub of the world, Los Angeles, CA! I knew that diving right into the city by gigging and collaborating around one of the most creative cities on the globe while getting my degree would certainly set me up for success post-grad. Lastly, the small cohort of Popular Music majors within one of the most well respected and prestigious universities in the country for all areas of education was a factor that was intriguing to me above all. Growing up, although music was my center of focus and passion, I had other interests as well. I always did well in academics, played a lot of sports, and loved other hobbies like reading and cooking. Although I knew that a conservatory-like intensive program would be beneficial for things like one-on-one and small group learning from professors and becoming close to classmates, I also wanted to be able to be surrounded by a variety of people with a variety of interests.
All of the factors I mentioned above were ones that attracted me from the very beginning and still to this day affirm that I made the right decision when coming to USC.