Clara Kim presents opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio classical music series
On Aug. 9, violinist and USC Thornton alumna Clara Kim (DMA ’15) presented the opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio’s (HPR) classical music series, “Live from the Atherton.” Leading up to her performance, Kim was interviewed by HPR’s DW Gibson on the importance of collaboration in music. “It’s amazing to work on pieces by Bach… Continue reading Clara Kim presents opening concert in Hawai’i Public Radio classical music series
Katya Richardson scored “Match in a Haystack” documentary
USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) composed the original score for the documentary Match in a Haystack, which premiered on July 24. Directed by Joe Hill and produced by Misty Copeland, the film follows a group of Ukrainian dancers preparing to perform for the first time since the Russian invasion. Screenings of Match… Continue reading Katya Richardson scored “Match in a Haystack” documentary
Renée Elise Goldsberry to star in “The Balusters” on Broadway
Tony Winner and Jazz Studies alumna Renée Elise Goldsberry (MM ’97) will star in the world premiere of the Broadway play, The Balusters. The production is set to open in spring 2026 at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Kenny Leon, The Balusters follows the Vernon Point… Continue reading Renée Elise Goldsberry to star in “The Balusters” on Broadway
Mic Ferrante and George Tyler Heffley win Los Angeles Area Emmy Award
On July 26, USC Thornton alumni Mic Ferrante (‘24) and George Tyler Heffley (‘24) won a Los Angeles Area Emmy in the Short Promo – Sports category for their work on “USC Football: Arrival of the Trojan.” Ferrante composed the original score and co-remixed Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” with Heffley, who… Continue reading Mic Ferrante and George Tyler Heffley win Los Angeles Area Emmy Award
Screen Scoring alumni selected for BMI Composer Lab
USC Thornton Screen Scoring alumni Andrew Asemokai (‘23), Emiliano Mazzenga (‘20), Tan Onwimon (‘23) and Ishaan Tyagi (‘23) were selected for the inaugural BMI Composer Lab, a program designed to foster a new generation of voices in media music. Overseen by Peter Golub and Tracy McKnight, the Lab includes mentorship by some of today’s leading… Continue reading Screen Scoring alumni selected for BMI Composer Lab
LA Phil to perform Daniel Slatkin’s “Voyager 130” at the Hollywood Bowl
On July 24, the Los Angeles Philharmonic will perform USC Thornton alumnus Daniel Slatkin’s (’16) “Voyager 130” at the Hollywood Bowl. The piece was inspired by the Golden Record on NASA’s Voyager spacecraft that carries Earth’s music to the edge of interstellar space. Conducted by Leonard Slatkin, the concert features violinist and USC Thornton Strings… Continue reading LA Phil to perform Daniel Slatkin’s “Voyager 130” at the Hollywood Bowl
Jensen McRae to open for Hozier on 2025 tour
USC Thornton Popular Music program alumna Jensen McRae will open for Irish singer-songwriter Hozier on his 2025 “Unreal Unearth” tour. McRae is scheduled to perform two shows on August 1 and 2 at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in Salt Lake City. Tickets are available here. *** Photo courtesy of The OK Times.
Saunder Choi premiered “To Imagine Creation” at The Kennedy Center
USC Thornton Composition program alum Saunder Choi (MM ’16) presented the world premiere of his piece, “To Imagine Creation,” at The Kennedy Center on June 15. The piece was commissioned by the Choral Arts Society of Washington for their 60th anniversary concert. It features text written by poet Brian Sonia-Wallace. Choi is a Los Angeles-based… Continue reading Saunder Choi premiered “To Imagine Creation” at The Kennedy Center
Nina Shekhar premiered “In Bloom” with Commonwealth Youth Choir
Composer, multimedia artist and USC Thornton alumna Nina Shekhar (MM ’20) presented the world premiere of her piece, “In Bloom,” with the Commonwealth Youth Choir. The piece is inspired by Shekhar’s experience leading workshops with the young singers and watching them grow. “Between these workshops, the singers shared over 200 pages of responses with me,… Continue reading Nina Shekhar premiered “In Bloom” with Commonwealth Youth Choir
Austin Wintory composed score for “Eternal Strands”
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Austin Wintory (‘07) composed the score for the video game “Eternal Strands,” developed by Yellow Brick Games. “Eternal Strands” is a fantasy, action-adventure video game starring a female protagonist with magical abilities who must save the world. “This was about four years of collaboration and joyous experimentation,” Wintory shared in… Continue reading Austin Wintory composed score for “Eternal Strands”