Tehillah Alphonso interviewed by Broadway World
USC Thornton alumna Tehillah Alphonso (’20) was recently interviewed by Broadway World, where she discussed her first GRAMMY nomination, some of her favorite projects that she’s worked on and her process for arranging songs. She also shared some advice for people of color and women looking to break into the music industry. “Whatever you’re passionate… Continue reading Tehillah Alphonso interviewed by Broadway World
Thornton students and alumni win at Virginia Waring International Piano Competition
Several USC Thornton students and alumni won awards in the 2022 Virginia Waring International Piano Competition. Christopher Richardson, a master’s student in the Thornton Keyboard Studies program, won second place in the concerto division. Keyboard studies DMA candidate Andrew Boyle and USC Thornton alumnus Benjamin Hopkins (BM ’12, GC ’14, MM ’16) also won solo… Continue reading Thornton students and alumni win at Virginia Waring International Piano Competition
Eliza Petrosyan on tour with Tora-i
USC Thornton Popular Music program student and guitarist Eliza Petrosyan is currently on tour with R&B artist Tora-i, who is opening for Omar Apollo. Petrosyan has previously played with artists WizTheMC and Anna Duboc.
Music of Remembrance premieres new work by Nicolas Lell Benavides
On May 15, Music of Remembrance presents the world premiere of Tres Minutos, a one-act opera by Thornton composition doctoral student Nicolas Lell Benavides and librettist Marella Martin Koch, with dramaturg Hector Vega. The opera follows the story of a sister and a brother who wrestle with questions of identity, duty and belonging during their… Continue reading Music of Remembrance premieres new work by Nicolas Lell Benavides
Giovanni Santos (MM ’07) has new work premiered by Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
This month, the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble will premiere Thornton alum Giovanni Santos’ (MM ‘07) new saxophone concerto, “I Dream Awake,” with soloist and fellow alumnus Andrew Harrison. Santos currently serves as the director of wind and percussion studies at La Sierra University, where he directs the University Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds and Big… Continue reading Giovanni Santos (MM ’07) has new work premiered by Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble
Paul Anka speaks to students at USC Thornton’s Popular Music Forum
Legendary songwriter Paul Anka spoke to students at USC Thornton’s Popular Music Forum on April 22 during a Master Session put on by USC Thornton and the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF). Popular Music Program Chair and SHOF board member Patrice Rushen moderated the conversation. During the session, Anka discussed how he got started in… Continue reading Paul Anka speaks to students at USC Thornton’s Popular Music Forum
LA Phil performs piece by alumnus and former Thornton Composition program faculty member Andrew Norman
The LA Phil will perform Play: Level 1, a work by USC Thornton alumnus and former composition program faculty member Andrew Norman, on April 23 and 24. This pair of concerts is part of the LA Phil’s Gen X Festival, a series that takes a “multidisciplinary, multi-genre look at the slackers, hackers and latch-key kids… Continue reading LA Phil performs piece by alumnus and former Thornton Composition program faculty member Andrew Norman
Liam Kevany co-writes, co-produces and plays on Jackson Wang’s “Blow”
USC Thornton Studio Guitar program alumnus Liam Kevany (’15) co-wrote, co-produced and played bass on 88rising artist Jackson Wang’s newest single, “Blow.” In the first week since its premiere, the music video for the song garnered over 9 million views. Kevany, who studied studio and jazz guitar at USC Thornton, currently serves as Noah Cyrus’… Continue reading Liam Kevany co-writes, co-produces and plays on Jackson Wang’s “Blow”
Nicole McCabe Quintet takes home first place at international jazz festival
The Nicole McCabe Quintet won the twelfth edition of the Keep an Eye International Jazz Award. USC Thornton Jazz Department master’s student Nicole McCabe leads the group along with fellow classmates Marcello Carelli, Ethan Chilton, Sam Reid and Thornton alumnus Logan Kane (’19). McCabe also won the award for best non-conservatory student soloist. The Keep… Continue reading Nicole McCabe Quintet takes home first place at international jazz festival
Michael Abels interviewed on TODAY show
Award-winning composer and USC Thornton Composition program alum Michael Abels (’84) was featured in a Today Show segment about how he’s breaking down barriers in Hollywood. The segment detailed Abels’ career from when he started working with director Jordan Peele on the horror hit Get Out to his involvement with the Composers Diversity Collective and… Continue reading Michael Abels interviewed on TODAY show