Posts Tagged ‘Alumni’


Popular music artist Remi Wolf performs on stage.

Remi Wolf to headline Make the World Better Concert in Philadelphia

June 16, 2025

Remi Wolf (‘18), a USC Thornton Popular Music program alumna, will co-headline Connor Barwin’s Make The World Better Concert Weekend in Philadelphia with artist Lucy Darcus. The concerts will take place on July 25 and 27 at FDR Park. The shows benefit Barwin’s Foundation, which rebuilds playgrounds and public spaces in partnership with the City… Continue reading Remi Wolf to headline Make the World Better Concert in Philadelphia


The SAKURA Cello Quintet.

SAKURA Cello Quintet debuts Donald Crockett’s “Carving an Alphabet”

June 11, 2025

On May 18, the SAKURA Cello Quintet gave the debut performance of Carving an Alphabet, a set of 12 madrigals for five cellos, written by USC Thornton Chair of Composition Donald Crockett for New Music USA. The SAKURA Cello Quintet consists of Thornton alumni Stella Cho (’12, MM ’14, DMA ’22), Michael Kaufman (MM ’12,… Continue reading SAKURA Cello Quintet debuts Donald Crockett’s “Carving an Alphabet”


Alexander Lloyd Blake conducting a choir.

Tonality featured in L.A. Times for choral tribute to Ahmaud Arbery

June 2, 2025

Grammy Award-winning choral ensemble Tonality, led by USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music alumnus Alexander Lloyd Blake (DMA ’19), was featured in the Los Angeles Times on May 19. The article spotlights Tonality’s May 24 tribute show to Ahmaud Arbery, who in 2020 was murdered during a racially motivated hate crime. The program, “Put Your… Continue reading Tonality featured in L.A. Times for choral tribute to Ahmaud Arbery


Cellist Quenton Blache holding his instrument and sitting in a library.

Quenton Blache released debut studio recording, “To Whom I Pray”

May 28, 2025

USC Thornton composition and cello performance alumnus Quenton Blache (‘23) released his debut studio recording, “To Whom I Pray,” as a premiere on I CARE IF YOU LISTEN, the award-winning multimedia hub for living music creators powered by American Composers Forum (ACF). Written for string quintet and electronics, the piece is a collaboration between the… Continue reading Quenton Blache released debut studio recording, “To Whom I Pray”


A musician stands in front of the ocean.

NoSo performs new single on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”

May 26, 2025

NoSo—USC Thornton popular music program alum Baek Hwong (‘19)—performed their song “Sugar” on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 19. The single is from NoSo’s upcoming album, When Are You Leaving?, due Oct 10 via Partisan Records. View tour dates and information about the artist here. *** Photo courtesy of NPR.


Jazz pianist Donald Vega indoors wearing sunglasses.

Donald Vega released new single, “Two Words: Bud Powell”

May 21, 2025

Grammy-nominated pianist and USC Thornton alumnus Donald Vega (’99) released his latest single, “Two Words: Bud Powell.” Featuring John Patitucci and Lewis Nash, this track is one of the unreleased compositions from his acclaimed 2023 album, As I Travel. The single is inspired by Vega’s admiration for Powell’s artistry and influence on Vega’s musical journey.… Continue reading Donald Vega released new single, “Two Words: Bud Powell”


Concert pianist Rixiang Huang posing in front of a window indoors and looking off to the right of the camera.

Rixiang Huang releases new solo album of Scarlatti sonatas

May 15, 2025

Pianist and USC Thornton Keyboard Studies alumnus Rixiang Huang (DMA ’23) recently released his fourth solo album, Scarlatti: Complete Keyboard Sonatas, Vol. 30, via Naxos Records. The album features 17 sonatas by Domenico Scarlatti, presenting a range of expressive and stylistic contrasts. “This recording represents a deeply personal milestone in my artistic journey, and I’m… Continue reading Rixiang Huang releases new solo album of Scarlatti sonatas


Pianist Esther Lee in concert.

Pianist Esther Lee makes Carnegie Hall debut

May 7, 2025

On March 16, USC Thornton Keyboard Studies alumna Esther Lee (GCRT ’15, DMA ’19) made her Carnegie Hall debut as a pianist for the world premiere of Elliott Bark’s Mercy for Violin, Cello, Piano and Orchestra, presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York. Entitled “A Vision of Light,” the concert showcased choral and orchestral works… Continue reading Pianist Esther Lee makes Carnegie Hall debut


Photograph of composer Ludwig Goransson smiling at an awards show.

Ludwig Göransson featured in L.A. Times on the making of Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners”

May 5, 2025

USC Thornton Screen Scoring program graduate Ludwig Göransson (GCRT ’08) was featured in a Los Angeles Times article about the creative process behind Ryan Coogler’s horror film, Sinners, released on April 18. The film was heralded as “a culmination of [Göransson and Coogler’s] unique creative partnership, a deeply personal celebration of their shared love of… Continue reading Ludwig Göransson featured in L.A. Times on the making of Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners”


Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and violinist Anne Akiko Meyers perform with students.

Amanda Nova plays with Yo-Yo Ma at fundraiser celebration for LAUSD instrument repair program

April 30, 2025

USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program student Amanda Nova played with cellist Yo-Yo Ma at a fundraiser event on April 6, celebrating a $1 million gift to “The Last Repair Shop” campaign. Donations to the fundraiser will help safeguard the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) program providing 130,000 free, repaired instruments for students. A Fairfax… Continue reading Amanda Nova plays with Yo-Yo Ma at fundraiser celebration for LAUSD instrument repair program