Juan Pablo Contreras named co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors
Juan Pablo Contreras (DMA ’21), a USC Thornton Composition program faculty member and alumnus, was named the new co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors alongside Anne-Marie Spataru, effective July 1, 2025. Contreras and Spataru will guide New Music USA into its next chapter, as the organization’s Board begins recruitment for its next president… Continue reading Juan Pablo Contreras named co-chair of New Music USA’s Board of Directors
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
Anne Ranzani Wins Principal Bassoon Position
USC Thornton alumna Anne Ranzani (’19, MM ’21, GCRT ’23) has joined the Long Beach Symphony as principal bassoonist. Ranzani performs across California as the principal bassoonist for the California Symphony and Monterey Symphony, as well. At Thornton, she studied under the tutelage of Winds & Percussion faculty members Judith Farmer and Shawn Mouser. ***… Continue reading Anne Ranzani Wins Principal Bassoon Position
Kana Funayama performed in Frances Walton Competition Solo Winners’ Tour
Kana Funayama, a percussionist and candidate for Artist Diploma at USC Thornton, performed in the Frances Walton Competition Solo Winners’ Tour. Funayama received last year’s prize for marimba and malleted instruments. She performed as a soloist alongside pianist Sean Yang on Sept. 10, 2024, in Chelan, Washington. *** Photo courtesy of Kana Funayama.
Carl St.Clair named one of the 125 most influential people in Orange County
Carl St.Clair, artistic leader and principal conductor of the USC Thornton Orchestras, was named one of the 125 most influential people in Orange County by the OC Register. St.Clair was recognized for his impact as the Pacific Symphony’s music director for 35 years. This list by the OC Register aims to highlight people who made… Continue reading Carl St.Clair named one of the 125 most influential people in Orange County
USC Thornton alumni perform for 60th Presidential Inauguration
USC Thornton alumni Ben Gunnarson (MM ’24), Andrew Jacobi (MM ’14, GCRT ’16) and Mary La Blanc (’22) participated in the 60th Inauguration of the President of the United States on January 20, 2025. As members of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, they performed at the swearing-in ceremony and marched in the inaugural… Continue reading USC Thornton alumni perform for 60th Presidential Inauguration
Camae Ayewa Receives Acclaim in Minneapolis & Philadelphia
USC Thornton Composition program faculty member Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother) was named on a list of the “Top 10 Classical Music Events of 2024” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “In one of the most powerful artistic experiences I’ve had this century, the audaciously courageous composer and poet Camae Ayewa and seven musicians confronted the legacy… Continue reading Camae Ayewa Receives Acclaim in Minneapolis & Philadelphia
Seth Parker Woods included in The New York Times’ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024”
Seth Parker Woods, Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton, was included in The New York Times‘ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024.” Woods was recognized for his performance as a featured soloist in Wild Up’s Eastman Vol. 4: The Holy Presence, an exploration of composer Julius Eastman’s works… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods included in The New York Times’ list of “Best Classical Music Albums of 2024”
Katya Richardson wins New York Emmy for “Keeping the Pinelands” score
USC Thornton Composition program alumna Katya Richardson (’19) won a New York Emmy Award for composing the score to the PBS special, Keeping the Pinelands. The documentary examines how people are finding new ways to help the forests of the New Jersey Pine Barrens survive. This is the composer’s first Emmy Award. *** Photo credit:… Continue reading Katya Richardson wins New York Emmy for “Keeping the Pinelands” score
Platoon and RZA present “A Ballet Through Mud” featuring USC Thornton musicians
Famed artist RZA, in partnership with the label Platoon, will present his classical album A Ballet Through Mud at the Los Angeles Theatre on Nov. 4. Conducted by Oliver Zeffman, the concert will be performed by USC Thornton students and alumni, following an introduction by KUSC and Classical California. Originally performed by the Colorado Symphony… Continue reading Platoon and RZA present “A Ballet Through Mud” featuring USC Thornton musicians