Reyna Gordon leads scientific study of genetic link to musicality traits
USC Thornton Vocal Arts department alumna Reyna Gordon (BM ‘01) has led the first large-scale study that discovered how the ability to move in synchrony with the beat of music is coded in human genomes. Assembled by an international multidisciplinary team of experts and in collaboration with personal genetics company 23andMe, the study assessed beat… Continue reading Reyna Gordon leads scientific study of genetic link to musicality traits
Cameron Akioka wins silver medal at the Seattle International Piano Competition
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies graduate student Cameron Akioka won the silver medal, the James Miles Memorial Presidential Prize and attendee-vote Audience Favorite Award at the Seattle International Piano Competition. The announcement was made on Oct. 9. 43 pianists from North America, Europe and Asia submitted entries for the Collegiate Artists category. Akioka, who studies with… Continue reading Cameron Akioka wins silver medal at the Seattle International Piano Competition
Kelly Sulick releases new album
USC Thornton Winds & Percussion alumna Kelly Sulick (MM ‘06) recently released an album of 20th- and 21st-century American works for flute and piano titled “Duo.” The album, recorded with pianist John Mayhood and released by Centaur Records, features works by Aaron Copland, John Harbison, Jennifer Higdon and Halsey Stevens, and it also includes the… Continue reading Kelly Sulick releases new album
Samantha Epp wins principal bassoon position with Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra
Samantha Epp (‘20, MM ‘22), a USC Thornton Winds & Percussion Department alumna, recently won the principal bassoon position with the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra. Epp has previously played with groups such as the American Youth Symphony.
Derek Polischuk performs on PBS series “Music for Justice”
Pianist and USC Thornton alumnus Derek Polischuk (DMA ‘06) was featured in an episode of the “Music for Social Justice” series on PBS. In the episode, he performed music from his album “Terra Incognita” with composer Tom Osborne (DMA ‘06). The album celebrates the beauty of Hawaii while also sharing its traumatic path to statehood.
Michael Lee’s “Ghost Break Dance” to be performed at SF Music Day
USC Thornton Composition program alumnus Michael Lee’s (DMA ‘17) “Ghost Break Dance,” a work for violin and cello that was premiered in 2019 by Ensemble Ari, will be performed by the group again at the 15th annual San Francisco Music Day on October 9 at the SF War Memorial Hall. SF Music Day is the… Continue reading Michael Lee’s “Ghost Break Dance” to be performed at SF Music Day
Lynn Helding named editor in chief of Journal of Singing
Lynn Helding, a professor of practice and the coordinator of vocology and voice pedagogy in the USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera program, has been named the new editor-in-chief of the Journal of Singing. The Journal of Singing is the only English language international periodical dedicated exclusively to voice art, pedagogy, science, technology and health… Continue reading Lynn Helding named editor in chief of Journal of Singing
Moni Simeonov appointed director of string studies at CSU Long Beach
USC Thornton Strings Department alumnus Moni Simeonov (GC ‘07, DMA ‘18) has been appointed as the director of string studies with the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. He also recently accepted the position of interim Edelman chair of chamber music with the Colburn School of Music.
Angel Velez music directs live performance honoring Arturo Sandoval
Thornton alumnus and conductor Angel Velez (MA ‘14) serves as music director and concert producer for “For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story” Live in Concert With Arturo Sandoval and the University of Miami’s Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. This performance honoring the accomplishments of the four-time GRAMMY winning Cuban trumpeter and Presidential Medal of… Continue reading Angel Velez music directs live performance honoring Arturo Sandoval
Laura Leigh Spillane promoted to conductor with the National Children’s Chorus
Third-year choral music doctoral student Laura Leigh Spillane has been promoted to conduct the Concerto Ensemble with the National Children’s Chorus. She was also recently named a part-time faculty member at Saddleback College, where she will serve as director of the Saddleback Chamber Singers.