Posts Tagged ‘Alumni’


Gabriel Martins with cello

Gabriel Martins wins 2020 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition

October 14, 2020

Cellist Gabriel Martins (BM ’19), an alum of USC Thornton’s Strings program, has earned another notable award, marking his third major prize in what has been a momentous year for the decorated artist. Martins has been announced as one of two Grand Prize winners in the 2020 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition. The prize… Continue reading Gabriel Martins wins 2020 Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition


Photo of two violinists playing outdoors while wearing masks over their faces

USC Thornton alumni launch MusiKaravan mobile concerts

October 13, 2020

USC Thornton alumni Etienne Gara and YuEun Kim (GCRT ‘15, AD ‘17), members of the celebrated chamber ensemble Delirium Musicum, have launched a unique mobile, outdoor concert series called MusiKaravan. While Delirium Musicum’s live concerts remain on hold, the two have traveled around California by car to perform safely outdoors for workers at farms and… Continue reading USC Thornton alumni launch MusiKaravan mobile concerts


Side by side images of Ludwig Goransson and Justin Lubliner

USC Thornton alumni named to Variety’s “Hollywood’s New Leaders” list

October 12, 2020

USC Thornton alumni Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08) and Justin Lubliner (BS ‘12) were named two of Hollywood’s New Leaders by Variety. The list showcases the newest generation of leaders and change-makers across the entertainment industry under the age of 40, including agents, creatives, producers, and more. Lubliner is recognized for his achievements as the founder… Continue reading USC Thornton alumni named to Variety’s “Hollywood’s New Leaders” list


Ambrose Akinmusire in dark sweater with orange backdrop

Ambrose Akinmusire wins DownBeat Magazine critics poll in trumpet category

October 6, 2020

USC Thornton Jazz Studies alum Ambrose Akinmusire (MM ’07) was voted top trumpeter in DownBeat Magazine’s 2020 Critics Poll. Each year, Downbeat Magazine’s Critics Poll recognizes the top jazz musicians and artists in the music world and names rising stars within the jazz community. The recognition comes after the acclaimed musician released a new album… Continue reading Ambrose Akinmusire wins DownBeat Magazine critics poll in trumpet category


Sarah Gibson and Thomas Kotcheff

HOCKET interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice

October 6, 2020

USC Thornton alumni Sarah Gibson (MM ‘10, DMA ‘15) and Thomas Kotcheff (MM ‘12, DMA ‘19), of piano duo HOCKET, were recently interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice. The duo discusses the importance of art during this time, their upcoming work, and their celebrated commission series #What2020SoundsLike. “We wanted to bring us all together through… Continue reading HOCKET interviewed by San Francisco Classical Voice


Roger Neill holding a coffee mug

Roger Neill discusses remote screen scoring with Variety

September 30, 2020

Roger Neill (BM ‘86), an alum of USC Thornton’s Composition program, was recently interviewed for Variety’s Songs for Screens column about his approach to scoring film and television projects remotely. In the interview, Neill discusses how he drew from his network of session musicians to create a virtual orchestra for the score of the HBO… Continue reading Roger Neill discusses remote screen scoring with Variety


Rick Schmunk in black shirt looking into camera

Rick Schmunk and Daniel Weidlein quoted in article about remote music production

September 29, 2020

Rick Schmunk, chair of USC Thornton’s Music Technology Program, and Jazz Studies alum Daniel Weidlein (BM ‘12) offered their thoughts on music education and production during the pandemic in a recent article on MajoringinMusic.com. Schmunk says that for students of music production and technology, the skills they learn in the classroom give them a leg… Continue reading Rick Schmunk and Daniel Weidlein quoted in article about remote music production


Album cover art with drawing of Brian Robert Jones lying on a bed surrounded by band posters and listening to music

Brian Robert Jones talks *NSYNC cover album with Lance Bass

September 24, 2020

Brian Robert Jones (BM ‘15), an alum of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, recently released No Strings Attached, an *NSYNC cover album celebrating the 20th anniversary of the band’s 2000 album of the same name. The album is filled with fresh takes on the original album’s iconic hits, and features appearances by some of… Continue reading Brian Robert Jones talks *NSYNC cover album with Lance Bass


Side by side images of Ludwig Goransson and Laura Karpman

Laura Karpman and Ludwig Göransson Win in 2020 Emmy Awards

September 21, 2020

USC Thornton’s celebrated Screen Scoring program had a good showing at the 2020 Emmy Awards on Sept. 20. Thornton faculty member Laura Karpman and alum Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ‘08) both won awards. Laura Karpman, a faculty member in the Screen Scoring program, won in the category of Outstanding Music Composition for a Documentary Series or… Continue reading Laura Karpman and Ludwig Göransson Win in 2020 Emmy Awards


Vimbayi Kaziboni pictured wearing glasses and white shirt

Vimbayi Kaziboni appointed Artistic Advisor of Boston Lyric Opera

September 17, 2020

USC Thornton alum Vimbayi Kaziboni (BM ‘10) has been appointed to the newly created position of Artistic Advisor for the Boston Lyric Opera (BLO). In the position, Kaziboni will take a curatorial and leadership role in BLO, telling the Boston Globe that his goal is “to tell new stories and unheard stories.” One of the… Continue reading Vimbayi Kaziboni appointed Artistic Advisor of Boston Lyric Opera