Posts Tagged ‘Accomplishments’


Black and white portrait of Katelyn Vahala

Katelyn Vahala wins first prize at Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition

December 11, 2019

Keyboard Studies alum and current graduate student Katelyn Vahala (BM ’18) has recently won first prize at the Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition, and also won the prize for best contemporary performance. The international competition is named for the late Rosalyn Tureck, an acclaimed pianist, teacher, conductor, scholar, and author, who was known for her… Continue reading Katelyn Vahala wins first prize at Rosalyn Tureck International Bach Competition


Photo of composer Adeliia Faizullina

Adeliia Faizullina named winner of 2020 Celebrate Asia Composition Competition

November 28, 2019

Composition doctoral candidate Adeliia Faizullina was announced as the winner of the Seattle Symphony’s Celebrate Asia Composition Competition, a competition that invites submissions from emerging composers who find inspiration and influences in Asian culture, music and traditions. Her piece, “Tatar Folk Tales,” will be performed by the Seattle Symphony at the Celebrate Asia concert on… Continue reading Adeliia Faizullina named winner of 2020 Celebrate Asia Composition Competition


Photo of Angela Little

Angela Little wins AGSC Screen Music Award for Best Music for a Short Film

November 26, 2019

Screen Scoring alum Angela Little (MM ’19) won an AGSC Screen Music Award in the category of Best Music for a Short Film for her score of the short film “For the Girl in the Coffee Shop.” Little worked collaboratively with director Rebekah Jackson to create a score that expresses the nuances of the film’s… Continue reading Angela Little wins AGSC Screen Music Award for Best Music for a Short Film


Photo of Erna Vala at piano

Erna Vala performs at Icelandic Embassy in Washington, D.C.

November 17, 2019

Keyboard Studies doctoral student Erna Vala recently performed at the Icelandic Embassy in Washington, D.C. at the reception of the Fulbright Artic Initiative Symposium. Vala is a Fulbright scholar from Iceland and talented pianist who studies with faculty member Bernadene Blaha. The Fulbright Arctic Initiative works to provide the foundation for collaboration of all Arctic… Continue reading Erna Vala performs at Icelandic Embassy in Washington, D.C.


Photo of Amir Kelly and Ayoni Thompson

Amir Kelly and Ayoni Thompson named among Best Young Music Artists of 2019

November 16, 2019

Two USC Thornton Popular Music students, Amir Kelly and Ayoni Thompson, were recently named to PopSugar Magazine’s list of Best Young Music Artists 2019. The list highlights talented up-and-coming artists who are soon to make waves in pop music. Senior Amir Kelly creates music he describes as “Blindian Pop,” a nod to his Black and… Continue reading Amir Kelly and Ayoni Thompson named among Best Young Music Artists of 2019


Photo of Ernest Harrison

Ernest Harrison named Music Director and Conductor of Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles

November 14, 2019

Doctoral Candidate in Choral Conducting at USC Thornton Ernest Harrison has been named the Music Director and Conductor of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA). Ernest will begin working with GMCLA in December to work on season concert plans, and will begin his full-time podium position beginning in January. His first main-season concert… Continue reading Ernest Harrison named Music Director and Conductor of Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles


Black and white photo of Nina Shekhar

Nina Shekhar receives Debut Fellowship from Young Musicians Foundation

November 13, 2019

Composition graduate student Nina Shekhar is one of the first recipients of the Debut Fellowship from the Young Musicians Foundation (YMF). The newly established program aims to empower musical artists who are committed to social justice through arts in education by providing professional development and training in areas vital to building successful initiatives for systemic… Continue reading Nina Shekhar receives Debut Fellowship from Young Musicians Foundation


Photo of Thomas Mellan

Thomas Mellan opens Jacaranda Music’s new season

November 12, 2019

USC Thornton Composition student and Organ Studies alum Thomas Mellan (BM ’17, MM ’19) recently opened Jacaranda Music’s 2019-2020 season in Los Angeles as a resident organist. Mellan performed in Jacaranda’s opening concert, “Organic Rush,” on Sept. 21 alongside organist and conductor Mark Allen Hilt. Mellan will also close the season in June with a… Continue reading Thomas Mellan opens Jacaranda Music’s new season


Spencer Lemann with Carol Rosenstein

Jazz Studies student receives Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award

November 6, 2019

Jazz Studies student Spencer Lemann has received the Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Los Angeles Chapter. Lemann will be recognized for his work with Music Mends Minds, a nonprofit that creates musical support groups for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Lemann has volunteered with Music Mends Minds since its founding… Continue reading Jazz Studies student receives Outstanding Young Philanthropist Award


Photo of Kathryn Eberle holding violin

Kathryn Eberle appointed concertmaster of Hollywood Bowl Orchestra

November 4, 2019

USC Thornton alum Kathryn Eberle (BM ’04) has been appointed concertmaster of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Eberle was selected after the orchestra’s summer auditions to fill the position of the late Katia Popov. Along with being a seasoned soloist and chamber musician, Eberle is the associate concertmaster for the Utah Symphony, a position she will… Continue reading Kathryn Eberle appointed concertmaster of Hollywood Bowl Orchestra