Spotlights Archive - USC Thornton School of Music

11/21

Thornton Student Ambassadors: Pursuing a Minor Degree as a USC Thornton Major

Thornton Student Ambassadors Madeline Clara Cheng and Julian Najah share their experiences pursuing minor degrees.

11/8

USC Thornton Faculty and Alumni Honored with Grammy Nominations

Counted among the 2025 Grammy Award nominees are current USC Thornton faculty members, recent graduates and alumni.

10/30

Thornton Student Ambassadors: Balancing Schedules

Thornton Student Ambassadors Aileen Conner and Samson Rabinowitz share their experiences balancing core Thornton requirements with USC core classes and other commitments.

A group of college-aged students gather on stage after a performance.

10/3

USC Thornton Celebrates Trojan Family Weekend

The USC Thornton community celebrated Trojan Family Weekend from Thursday, Sept. 26 to Sunday, Sept. 29.

7/18

Alumni Garner 2024 Emmy Nominations

Seven Thornton alumni were recognized with the 76th Emmy Awards nominations on July 17.

Black and white photo of a pianist looking off to the side in their office.

7/9

Collaborating Across Generations

Pioneering women in the Keyboard Collaborative Arts program spotlight the innovative nature of USC Thornton.

Harpist JoAnn Turovsky looking into the camera next to her instrument.

6/28

Office Hours with JoAnn Turovsky

In this ongoing series called “Office Hours,” get to know some of the exceptional scholars and artists who make up USC Thornton’s faculty as they answer questions about themselves.

American keyboard player and vocalist Greg Phillinganes looking into the camera.

6/5

Mentorship: ‘The Secret to Success’

USC Thornton’s revamped mentorship program connects even more students with industry professionals across all genres.

A person in a blue tee shirt smiling into the camera.

5/28

Teen Dreams Realized

Award-winning podcaster Shima Oliaee (’05) talks about her latest series on teen girls, and how she made it as an artist.

Smiling graduating students at an outdoor college celebration.

5/20

Congratulations to the Class of 2024

USC Thornton shares photo highlights from the 2024 Honors Convocation and Commencement.

5/16

Jazz Innovator Named an Artist-in-Residence

Acclaimed jazz pianist/composer Gerald Clayton (’07) returns to USC Thornton as a role model for the next generation.

5/9

2024 Outstanding Graduates: Part Two

The five Outstanding Graduates of the Class of 2024 share their favorite memories from Thornton, lessons they’ve learned and their future plans.

A smiling musician wearing all black stands outdoors in the desert.

5/9

2024 Outstanding Graduates: Part One

The five Outstanding Graduates of the Class of 2024 share their favorite memories from Thornton, lessons they’ve learned and their future plans.

A graduating college student wearing a white dress and a red ceremonial sash smiles at the camera outside a college university.

5/6

Thornton Student Ambassadors Look Back

On the eve of graduating, USC Thornton Student Ambassadors reflect on what they’ve learned, offering lessons and perspectives to the incoming class.

Photo of musician, performer and composer Oliviana Marie.

4/24

Coming Home

Being part of the first production in the School of Dramatic Arts’ new home was a full-circle moment for Thornton’s Oliviana Marie.

A music student sits on the steps outside of Abbey Road Studio in London.

4/23

Ambassador Blog: Study Abroad

Thornton Student Ambassadors Rosie Ding, George Tyler Heffley, and Gabriel Griswold reflect on some of their experiences studying abroad.

Photo of violin player in concert dress on stage.

4/18

Ambassador Blog: Getting Involved at USC

USC Thornton Student Ambassadors Madeline Cheng, Tanner Dodt and Celine Chen discuss the extracurricular opportunities on campus.

4/17

USC Thornton Welcomes New Faculty

Talented professionals take full-time roles in Jazz Studies, Music Industry and Popular Music programs.

A student violinist plays on a concert stage in dress attire.

4/16

Ambassador Blog: Performance Opportunities

USC Thornton Student Ambassadors Sofia Chamberlain, Emily Hsu and Ella Kaale share the performance opportunities they’ve had within the Strings and Composition departments.