Spotlights

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• 9/21

  Rick Lesemann: A Remembrance

  The beloved USC Thornton faculty member is remembered by friends, colleagues, and former students.

• 9/12

  The Process: filmUSiC

  Students from USC Thornton and USC School of Cinematic Arts combined original compositions and animations in the live-to-picture concert, “filmUSiC.”

• 9/7

  Dean Jason King featured in CNN documentary on Little Richard

  King interviewed in the acclaimed documentary about one of rock’s great rock pioneers. 

• 9/5

  Fall 2023 Live Events Preview

  From early music and opera to jazz and pop music, USC Thornton’s fall lineup of live music showcases the talents of students and faculty in performance and composition.

• 8/22

  A New School Year at USC Thornton

  USC Thornton welcomes students and faculty to campus for the 2023-2024 academic year.

• 7/28

  Office Hours with Bob Mintzer

  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.

• 7/24

  Office Hours with Joanna Demers

  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.

• 7/13

  Five Thornton Alumni Receive 2023 Emmy Nominations

  Leo Birenberg, Eli Brueggemann, Holly Amber Church, Allyson Newman and James Newton Howard garnered Emmy nominations across five categories.

• 7/5

  Thornton Student Ambassadors Look Forward

  With summer in full swing, the ten returning Student Ambassadors describe the internships, travels and projects they are most looking forward to.

• 6/1

  Lifting Up Unheard Voices

  Radio host and Thornton alum Michelle Maestas Simonsen takes on new role as program director at Seattle’s Classical KING.

• 5/18

  Celebrating Our Graduates

  USC Thornton honored its incredible graduates, faculty and staff at both the 68th Annual Honors Convocation and the 140th Commencement Ceremony.

• 5/11

  2023 Outstanding Graduates: Part Two

  The five Outstanding Graduates of the Class of 2023 share their favorite memories from Thornton, lessons they’ve learned and their future plans.

• 5/10

  2023 Outstanding Graduates: Part One

  The five Outstanding Graduates of the Class of 2023 share their favorite memories from Thornton, lessons they’ve learned and their future plans.

• 5/4

  Young Artist Project: Javier Morales-Martinez

  In the final profile of the Young Artist Project spotlight series, meet a Thornton alum who produced a concert to showcase talents of Los Angeles’ Indigenous communities.

• 5/2

  Meet the New Faculty

  USC Thornton welcomes three exceptional new faculty members in Choral & Sacred Music, Jazz Studies and Vocal Arts & Opera.

• 4/28

  Young Artist Project: Jamie Kim

  In the third of four profiles, meet a Thornton alum who is highlighting women and BIPOC composers for her Young Artist Project.

• 4/26

  Nicole McCabe’s Award Season

  A surprise win for her jazz quintet in Amsterdam was the first of several career boosts for the saxophonist.

• 4/24

  First Chair

  Pioneering violinist Eudice Shapiro, a longtime USC faculty member and the first female concertmaster of a studio orchestra, is remembered by her students.

• 4/20

  USC Thornton on CBS Sunday Morning

  USC Thornton faculty and students were featured in two CBS Sunday Morning specials during the spring 2023 semester.

• 4/11

  Actéon and Glory Denied

  The USC Thornton Opera program takes their spring performance, a double bill of two one-act operas, to downtown venue, Art Share L.A. 

• 4/4

  Social Justice in Music Education

  Angelica Brooks starts The Table Music Education Corporation to help higher ed recruit and retain educators of color.

• 3/27

  Dr. Iris S. Levine named commencement speaker for USC Thornton School of Music

  Educator, conductor and VOX Femina chorus founder Dr. Iris S. Levine will take the podium on May 12th.

• 3/23

  Young Artist Project: Olivia Chiang

  In the second of four profiles, meet a Thornton alum who featured human stories about classical guitarists for her Young Artist Project.

• 3/16

  Young Artist Project: Daniel Mangiaracino

  In the first of four profiles, meet a Thornton alum who combined creativity and passion to create their Young Artist Project.

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