• Photo of a classical musician dressed in concert attire smiling and posing next to percussion equipment.

    Lifting Up Unheard Voices

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

  • 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.

  • Photo of a clarinetist holding his instrument outside in downtown Los Angeles.

    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.

  • Photo collage of music teachers against a colorful green background.

    Meet the New Faculty

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

  • Photo of a flutist holding her instrument outside.

    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.

  • Photo of Nicole McCabe holding her saxophone in front of an illustrated background.

    Nicole McCabe’s Award Season

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

  • Black and white photo of Eudice Shapiro holding a violin.

    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.

  • Photo of Jeanine Cowen talking about her work during an interview on CBS Sunday Morning.

    USC Thornton on CBS Sunday Morning

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

  • Photo of opera students rehearsing in costume.

    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. 

  • Photo of Angelica Brooks standing next to a colorful banner indoors.

    Social Justice in Music Education

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

  • Photo of Iris Levine wearing a black dress seated at a piano.

    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.

  • A classical guitarist plays her instrument in front of a brightly colored artistic background.

    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.

  • Photo of a music student in front of a colorful illustrated background.

    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.

  • Music students smile holding their instruments in front of a colorful background.

    Young Artist Projects: Redesigning the Classical World

    Stay tuned in the coming days for a series of profiles of Thornton students who combine creativity and passion to create their Young Artist Projects.

  • Photo collage of a woman dressed in a USC Trojan drum major costume holding a sword.

    USC Trailblazer: India Anderson

    Becoming the first female drum major of the USC Trojan Marching Band set India Anderson on a path toward self-actualization and feminism.

  • Photo of pianist performing in a rehearsal with an orchestra.

    Moment of Possibilities

    The USC Thornton Symphony’s annual “New Music for Orchestra” concert features original work from Thornton’s acclaimed Composition program.

  • Photo of Frank Ticheli conducting a symphony orchestra

    Swan Song

    USC Thornton professor of composition Frank Ticheli celebrates an astounding career at Thornton with a concert of his music at Bovard Auditorium.