Posts Tagged ‘Alumni’


Black and white photo of alumnus Alfred Darlington

Daedelus to release new album, the Bittereinders, on Brainfeeder

September 18, 2019

USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Alfred Darlington (’00), widely known as Daedelus, will release a new album on Sept. 20. The Bittereinders will close out his End of Empire musical trilogy, which also includes Righteous Fists of Harmony (2010) and The Light Brigade (2014). Like the previous installments of his trilogy, The Bittereinders is inspired… Continue reading Daedelus to release new album, the Bittereinders, on Brainfeeder


Photo of Connie Sheu with guitar

Connie Sheu leads new Suzuki Guitar program at Colburn’s Community School of Performing Arts

September 17, 2019

The Colburn Community School of Performing Arts has launched a new guitar program, directed by Thornton alumna Connie Sheu (DMA ’11), that seeks to make classical music and instruments more accessible to beginning students. The program is based in the Suzuki teaching method, founded by Japanese violinist Shinichi Suzuki. Sheu sees classical guitar as a… Continue reading Connie Sheu leads new Suzuki Guitar program at Colburn’s Community School of Performing Arts


Photo of Moonchild band members

Moonchild follows album release with national tour

September 16, 2019

Moonchild, a Los Angeles based neo-R&B triad, will set off on a national tour this fall for their recent album Little Ghost, which was released on Sept. 6. Jazz Studies alumni Amber Navran (’12), Max Bryk (’11) and Andris Mattson (’13) formed Moonchild in 2012 and have released several projects since. Moonchild will kick off… Continue reading Moonchild follows album release with national tour


Photo of Jaimie Pangan in studio, holding up score

Jaimie Pangan nominated for Hollywood Music in Media Award

September 12, 2019

USC Thornton Screen Scoring alum Jaimie Pangan received a Hollywood Music in Media award nomination for her song “Farewell” in the category of Contemporary Classical/Instrumental. The Hollywood Music in Media Academy honors original music in visual media from around the globe, with past winners including fellow Screen Scoring alum Ludwig Goransson (Black Panther), Max Richter… Continue reading Jaimie Pangan nominated for Hollywood Music in Media Award


Portrait of Seonmi Lee

Seonmi Lee joins faculty at Korea National University of Arts

September 11, 2019

Pianist and USC Thornton alumna Seonmi Lee (DMA ’19) has been appointed to the collaborative piano faculty at Korea National University of Arts, which is considered one of the most prominent Korean universities for pianists. In the role, Lee, who won her first international competition at age 10, will teach both collaboration and solo piano.… Continue reading Seonmi Lee joins faculty at Korea National University of Arts


Formal portrait of Billy Childs dressed in black

Billy Childs to join Berklee as visiting scholar

July 18, 2019

USC Thornton alumnus and celebrated jazz musician Billy Childs ’79 will serve as a visiting scholar at Berklee College of Music for the 2019-20 academic year. During his stint in Boston, Childs, a five-time GRAMMY award recipient, will teach jazz composition classes, coach a student ensemble and offer master classes.


Calder Quartet releases new album

July 16, 2019

The Calder Quartet, comprised of USC Thornton alumni – violinists Benjamin Jacobson (’01, MM ’07) and Andrew Bulbrook (’02), violist Jonathan Moerschel (’01, MM ’03), and cellist Eric Byers (’03), has released a new album on Pentatone Records. Beethoven Hillborg includes recordings of Beethoven’s String Quartets No. 3 in D Major Op. 18 No. 3… Continue reading Calder Quartet releases new album


Patrice Rushen to release compilation

July 1, 2019

On July 19, Patrice Rushen, Chair of USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, will release a new 15-track compilation, Remind Me: The Classic Elektra Recordings 1978 – 1984, on Strut Records. The project will include all of the legendary R&B artist’s chart singles from that period, including “Forget Me Nots,” “Feels So Real,” and “Haven’t You… Continue reading Patrice Rushen to release compilation


Alexis Marsh and Samuel Jones

Thornton alumni and faculty recognized by BMI at annual awards

June 20, 2019

At the 35th annual BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Awards, USC Thornton alumni and faculty were recognized as top performing composers. Ludwig Göransson (GC ’08)  added to his long list of 2019 awards, which includes three GRAMMYs and an Oscar, and won an award for Venom and Creed II. Additionally, in the BMI Cable… Continue reading Thornton alumni and faculty recognized by BMI at annual awards


Jules Pegram

USC Thornton students and alumni win Morton Gould Young Composer Awards

May 21, 2019

USC Thornton Composition students and alumni comprised five of the 21 recipients of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation 2019 Morton Gould Young Composer Awards. The annual award encourages talented young creators of concert music ranging in age from 10 to 30. The winners included undergraduate Adam Karelin, graduate students Nina… Continue reading USC Thornton students and alumni win Morton Gould Young Composer Awards