Singer-songwriter Jessica Harper featured in Daily Trojan
The Daily Trojan featured Popular Music student Jessica Harper in a recent article about her journey as a singer-songwriter. The sophomore released her EP Michigan in the spring of 2019, and is soon to release a music video for her song “Rainy Day.” Popular Music faculty members Sean Holt and Michael Arrom both remark on… Continue reading Singer-songwriter Jessica Harper featured in Daily Trojan
Luca Mendoza and USC Thornton jazz ensembles win in DownBeat’s 43rd Annual Student Music Awards
The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, the Thornton Monday Night Band, and undergraduate pianist and composer Luca Mendoza were winners in DownBeat’s 43rd Annual Student Music Awards. The awards will be published in DownBeat’s June issue. The USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, led by Bob Mintzer, won in the category Large Jazz Ensemble for Graduate College Outstanding… Continue reading Luca Mendoza and USC Thornton jazz ensembles win in DownBeat’s 43rd Annual Student Music Awards
Doyoung Park and Keke Luo among winners of American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition
Two students of USC Thornton’s Keyboard Studies program were named among thirteen First Place Winners of the College Students and Professional Musicians category of the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition: graduate certificate candidate Doyoung Park, a student of Daniel Pollack and Mikhail Korzhev, and master’s student Keke Luo, a student of Bernadene Blaha.… Continue reading Doyoung Park and Keke Luo among winners of American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition
Rina Ritivoiu and Micah Bland publish articles in Choral Journal
Choral & Sacred Music alum Rina Ritivoiu (DMA ’19) and doctoral candidate Micah Bland have published articles in the latest issue of Choral Journal, the official publication of the American Choral Directors Association. Ritivoiu’s article, entitled “Choir as a Caretaker of Caregivers,” and Bland’s article, entitled “Mouthing the Text: The Advantages and Disadvantages,” can be… Continue reading Rina Ritivoiu and Micah Bland publish articles in Choral Journal
Polina Cherezova publishes feature on Conrad Tao
USC Thornton Master’s student Polina Cherezova talked with pianist Conrad Tao ahead of his Power to the People! festival concert with the LA Phil. The feature was published on the LA Phil’s Watch & Listen home page. “Conrad Tao, the internationally acclaimed composer-pianist, lives in an imaginative cosmos of his own, where vulnerability reigns,” Cherezova wrote.… Continue reading Polina Cherezova publishes feature on Conrad Tao
Nicholas Bentz wins first prize at Tribeca New Music’s Young Composer Competition
USC Thornton Composition master’s student Nicholas Bentz was announced as the first prize winner of the Tribeca New Music 2020 Young Composer Competition in Division 1, for ages 22-35. Bentz’s winning piece is titled “Glimpse,” a quartet for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano. In addition to a monetary award, “Glimpse” will be performed at the… Continue reading Nicholas Bentz wins first prize at Tribeca New Music’s Young Composer Competition
Max Opferkuch appears on Performance Today for radio interview and performance
Max Opferkuch, award-winning clarinetist and USC Thornton student, appeared on Minnesota Public Radio’s Performance Today program, as a 2019-2020 Young Artist In Residence. Opferkuch was interviewed by host Fred Child, and performed two pieces in the studio accompanied by pianist and Thornton DMA student Heejung Ju (GCRT ’13, MM ’16). Along with their appearance on… Continue reading Max Opferkuch appears on Performance Today for radio interview and performance
Angela Little talks Screen Scoring with Spectrum News
Screen Scoring alum Angela Little (MM ’19) was featured on Spectrum News this week, discussing how making the move to Los Angeles to attend USC Thornton helped propel her career as a composer. Originally from Australia, Little knew USC Thornton’s reputation and connection to the industry would bring her closer to her goal of becoming… Continue reading Angela Little talks Screen Scoring with Spectrum News
Daniel Weidlein produces debut album by vocal artist Julie Craig
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alum Daniel Weidlein (BM ’12) recently produced, arranged and orchestrated the debut album by vocal artist Julie Craig, From Here, released on Jan. 10. On the album, Craig, who is known for her roles in Broadway shows such as “Les Miserables” and “West Side Story,” performs classics and original music, backed… Continue reading Daniel Weidlein produces debut album by vocal artist Julie Craig
Celka Ojakangas selected as resident composer for Mizzou International Composers Festival
Composition alum and current DMA candidate Celka Ojakangas (MM ’18) has been selected to appear as one of eight resident composers at the 2020 Mizzou International Composers Festival (MICF). Ojakangas was selected from among a record 346 entrants from 24 countries. As a resident composer, Ojakangas will give presentations about her work, take composition lessons… Continue reading Celka Ojakangas selected as resident composer for Mizzou International Composers Festival