Caroline Wilkins Wins Principal Harp Position
USC Thornton Harp Performance alumna Caroline Wilkins (‘16, MM ‘19) won the principal harp position with the Boise Philharmonic. Wilkins, who studied under JoAnn Turovsky, has served as principal harpist with the American Youth Symphony, the Debut Chamber Orchestra and the USC Thornton Symphony. She is the 2019 grand prize winner of the American Harp… Continue reading Caroline Wilkins Wins Principal Harp Position
Troy Quinn to conduct Nas with the Boston Pops
Troy Quinn, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Conducting program, will lead a Boston Pops program featuring rapper Nas on June 27 at Tanglewood. The concert is part of Tanglewood’s Popular Artist Series. Quinn made his Boston Symphony Orchestra debut at their New Year’s Eve celebration. *** Photo courtesy of USC Thornton.
Raashi Kulkarni Composed Score for “A Nice Indian Boy”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumna Raashi Kulkarni (MM ’18, GCRT ’16) composed the score for the film, A Nice Indian Boy, released on April 4. Kulkarni’s score blends rich Indian musical elements and Western orchestral traditions, while also balancing Bollywood influences with a modern pop sensibility. The film is an adaptation of a 15-year-old… Continue reading Raashi Kulkarni Composed Score for “A Nice Indian Boy”
Juan Pablo Contreras named co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors
Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ’21), a USC Thornton Composition program faculty member and alumnus, was named the new co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors alongside Anne-Marie Spataru, effective July 1, 2025. Contreras and Spataru will guide New Music USA into its next chapter, as the organization’s Board begins recruitment for its next president… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras named co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors
Anne Ranzani Wins Principal Bassoon Position
USC Thornton alumna Anne Ranzani (’19, MM ’21, GCRT ’23) has joined the Long Beach Symphony as principal bassoonist. Ranzani performs across California as the principal bassoonist for the California Symphony and Monterey Symphony, as well. At Thornton, she studied under the tutelage of Winds & Percussion faculty members Judith Farmer and Shawn Mouser. ***… Continue reading Anne Ranzani Wins Principal Bassoon Position
Remi Wolf Nominated at the GLAAD Media Awards
Remi Wolf (‘18), a USC Thornton Popular Music program alumna, was nominated for Outstanding Breakthrough Music Artist in the 36th Annual GLAAD Media Awards. The GLAAD Media Awards honor those in the media who have shown exemplary achievements for fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of the LGBTQ community and the issues that affect their lives.… Continue reading Remi Wolf Nominated at the GLAAD Media Awards
Mk.gee Makes “Best Albums of 2024” List
USC Thornton non-degreed alumnus Michael Gordon’s (Mk.gee) Two Star & The Dream Police, released on February 9, 2024, via R&R, was named on WePlugGoodMusic‘s “Best Albums of 2024” list in the UK. “Mk.gee delivers a cohesive and immersive experience with Two Star & The Dream Police that not only showcases his technical skills but also… Continue reading Mk.gee Makes “Best Albums of 2024” List
Julian Jaeyoung Kim to perform Beethoven in European tour
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies alumnus Julian Jaeyoung Kim (DMA ‘24) will embark on a European tour this spring, performing a concert series of all-Beethoven programs. Represented by Tilmann Artist Management, he begins his tour on April 21 in Basel, Switzerland. Kim was named a Bechstein Artist and released a CD album, Brahms Resonances, via KNS… Continue reading Julian Jaeyoung Kim to perform Beethoven in European tour
Chanda Dancy composed score for “One of Them Days”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program graduate Chanda Dancy (GRCT ‘04) composed the score for the comedy film One of Them Days, released on January 17. Starring Keke Palmer and SZA, the film follows two roommates who go to extreme lengths to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact. Dancy is an accomplished film and TV… Continue reading Chanda Dancy composed score for “One of Them Days”
Paul Cornish signs with Blue Note Records
USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Paul Cornish (‘18) has signed with Blue Note Records and will release his debut album this summer. The Los Angeles-based pianist and composer performed in the NYC Winter Jazzfest’s Brooklyn Marathon on Jan. 11. “Blue Note Records has meant a lot, not only to me, but also my hometown of… Continue reading Paul Cornish signs with Blue Note Records