Vimbayi Kaziboni appointed Artistic Advisor of Boston Lyric Opera
USC Thornton alum Vimbayi Kaziboni (BM ‘10) has been appointed to the newly created position of Artistic Advisor for the Boston Lyric Opera (BLO). In the position, Kaziboni will take a curatorial and leadership role in BLO, telling the Boston Globe that his goal is “to tell new stories and unheard stories.” One of the… Continue reading Vimbayi Kaziboni appointed Artistic Advisor of Boston Lyric Opera
Thornton artists awarded San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards
Multiple USC Thornton artists and alumni-founded ensembles were awarded San Francisco Classical Voice’s Audience Choice Awards for the 2019-2020 season. This year was the first-ever Audience Choice Awards with a category dedicated to celebrating the vibrant classical music scene in Los Angeles. HOCKET, the piano duo of alumni Sarah Gibson (MM ‘10, DMA ‘15) and… Continue reading Thornton artists awarded San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards
Jason Issokson and Yoshika Masuda join Rolston String Quartet
The Rolston String Quartet recently announced the addition of two USC Thornton alumni to the ensemble. Violinist Jason Issokson (DMA ’11), currently Second Violin with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and cellist Yoshika Masuda (GCRT ’12, DMA ’16), a founding member of the SAKURA Cello Quintet, join members Luri Lee and Hezekiah Leung in their new… Continue reading Jason Issokson and Yoshika Masuda join Rolston String Quartet
Michael Abels and Laura Karpman quoted in Variety
Composition alum Michael Abels (BM ’84) and Screen Scoring faculty member Laura Karpman were recently quoted in a Variety article about the increase in the diversity of the Emmy Awards’ music categories. Abels and Karpman are both award-winning composers and founders of organizations that work to support underrepresented composers in film and television. Abels, who… Continue reading Michael Abels and Laura Karpman quoted in Variety
Andrew Harrison to launch new online concert series
USC Thornton alum and saxophonist Andrew Harrison (DMA ’15) will launch a new online concert series, Concert Cast, on Tues., Sept. 1. An advocate for contemporary saxophone music, Harrison will perform with pianist Jason Lo (MM ’12, DMA ’16) in a program that features works by Bozza, Eiunaudi, Rachmaninoff, Ravel, and more. The event will… Continue reading Andrew Harrison to launch new online concert series
Gina Luciani to release original arrangement of Bizet’s “Carmen Fantasy”
USC Thornton alum and flutist Gina Luciani (MM ‘13) will release an arrangement of Georges Bizet’s “Carmen Fantasy” in September. A celebrated studio musician with an active following, Luciani’s version has been over 10 years in the making and features music for both flute and piano. Luciana was first introduced to “Carmen Fantasy” at the… Continue reading Gina Luciani to release original arrangement of Bizet’s “Carmen Fantasy”
Javier Morales-Martinez receives Music Academy of the West Fast Pitch Award
Undergraduate clarinetist Javier Morales-Martinez was one of three winners of Music Academy of the West’s Fast Pitch Awards in July. During the live online event, Morales-Martinez and other students pitched entrepreneurial ideas for new endeavors in classical performance, presentation and social impact, and received live feedback from industry professionals. Morales-Martinez pitched an initiative to create… Continue reading Javier Morales-Martinez receives Music Academy of the West Fast Pitch Award
Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs
In a recent KCET article, USC Thornton alum Grant Gershon (BM ‘85), artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), shares advice and lessons learned while conducting choirs virtually during the pandemic. Choir directors like Gershon have transitioned to edited ensemble performances, with choir members recording their parts individually from home. The solution requires… Continue reading Grant Gershon shares advice for virtual choirs
Sydney Adedamola announced as 2020/21 LA Phil Resident Fellow
The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced that Sydney Adedamola (BM ’18), violinist and alum of the USC Thornton Strings program, is one of this season’s cohort of the Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen LA Phil Resident Fellows program. The program was founded in 2018 to build stronger career pathways for musicians historically underrepresented in today’s… Continue reading Sydney Adedamola announced as 2020/21 LA Phil Resident Fellow
Billy Childs discusses upcoming album in JazzTimes interview
USC Thornton alum and GRAMMY Award-nominated artist Billy Childs (BM ’79) is set to release a new album on Aug. 28, and reflects on its influences in a recent JazzTimes interview. Childs reminisces on the artists and projects that have inspired his music, such as his time playing at World Stage, a historic art and… Continue reading Billy Childs discusses upcoming album in JazzTimes interview