Heeseong Lee wins Denver Philharmonic Orchestra International Conducting Competition
Heeseong Lee, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, won the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra 2025 International Conducting Workshop, Concert & Competition. Lee was awarded the Golden Baton for outstanding artistry and leadership by Lawrence Golan and Donald Schleicher, who invited her to conduct a piece with the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra… Continue reading Heeseong Lee wins Denver Philharmonic Orchestra International Conducting Competition
Shou-Ping Liu to Lead New England Chamber Orchestra
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program alumna Shou-Ping Liu (DMA ‘20) will lead the New England Chamber Orchestra as artistic director during Connecticut Orchestra Month. The Concerto Night will take place on March 28 at Connecticut College, where Liu also serves as an assistant professor of music. The program includes Mozart’s Horn Concerto No.… Continue reading Shou-Ping Liu to Lead New England Chamber Orchestra
Choral alumni receive new academic appointments
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program alumni Maura Tuffy (‘19), Duncan Tuomi (MM ’22) and Clara Valenzuela (’20) have received new academic appointments for the 2024-2025 school year. Tuffy was appointed to the adjunct faculty at Fullerton College where she will conduct the Treble Chorale, and teach Beginning Voice and Intro to Musicianship. Tuomi… Continue reading Choral alumni receive new academic appointments
Heeseong Lee wins Grand Prize and Audience Prize at Los Angeles Conducting Workshop & Competition
Heeseong Lee, a doctoral candidate in the USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program, won the Grand Prize and Audience Prize at the 2024 Los Angeles Conducting Workshop & Competition. The event took place from August 5-10 at St. Luke’s Orthodox Church in Garden Grove. Twenty conductors were selected to compete and three finalists were… Continue reading Heeseong Lee wins Grand Prize and Audience Prize at Los Angeles Conducting Workshop & Competition
Connor Scott appointed Director of Choral Activities at Lindenwood University
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music doctoral candidate Connor Scott has been appointed as the Director of Choral Activities and Instructor of Music at Lindenwood University. “I am so thrilled to be joining the amazing community that is the LU Music Program, to be conducting the three choirs, and training the Music Education students, the… Continue reading Connor Scott appointed Director of Choral Activities at Lindenwood University
Michelle Kardos named director of education for American Guild of Organists
USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music alumna Michelle Kardos (DMA ’24) was named the director of education for the American Guild of Organists (AGO). The American Guild of Organists is an international organization for professional organists working in religious and academic institutions. As the director of education, Kardos will be responsible for overseeing and strengthening… Continue reading Michelle Kardos named director of education for American Guild of Organists
Stevie J. Hirner appointed assistant professor and interim director of Choral Activities at University of Montana
Stevie J. Hirner (DMA ’24), a USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program alumna, was appointed as assistant professor and interim director of Choral Activities at the University of Montana. She currently teaches courses in University Choir, Chamber Chorale, Choral Conducting and Choral Methods. Hirner previously served as a lecturer in Choral and Voice Methods… Continue reading Stevie J. Hirner appointed assistant professor and interim director of Choral Activities at University of Montana
Adán Fernández joins Colburn School music theory faculty
Adán Fernández (DMA ’20), a USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music program alumnus, has joined the Colburn School’s Music Theory and Ear Training faculty. He begins his new appointment in the fall of 2024. Fernández also serves as the artistic director of the Glendale Youth Symphony, university organist of California Lutheran University and director of… Continue reading Adán Fernández joins Colburn School music theory faculty
Choral students, faculty and alumni attend Western ACDA conference
USC Thornton’s Choral & Sacred Music program was well represented at the Western American Choral Directors Association conference that took place on March 6-9 in Pasadena. Robert Istad (DMA ‘06) performed with the CSU Fullerton University Singers while Shawna Stewart (DMA ‘13) performed with the Biola University Chorale. Michelle Jensen (DMA ’23) presented a concert… Continue reading Choral students, faculty and alumni attend Western ACDA conference
Noreen Green conducts “Symphony of the Holocaust” at Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival
Noreen Green (DMA ‘91), a USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music alumna, conducted the premiere of a chamber version of Shony Alex Braun’s “Symphony of the Holocaust” at the Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival on March 11. The documentary of the same name honors the musical career of Braun, a child violin prodigy and Holocaust… Continue reading Noreen Green conducts “Symphony of the Holocaust” at Palm Springs Jewish Film Festival