Tram Sparks
Tram Sparks (she/her) is Chair and Professor of Practice at the USC Thornton School of Music. Prior to her work in Los Angeles, Sparks was Associate Professor and Associate Director of Choral Activities at Temple University Boyer College of Music & Dance, where she taught from 1999-2009. Dr. Sparks taught graduate and undergraduate courses in… Continue reading Tram Sparks
Ken Cazan reviewed in Los Angeles Times for revival of Tobias Picker’s “Therese Raquin”
USC Thornton faculty Ken Cazan, chair of the Vocal Arts program and resident stage director of USC Thornton Opera, revived Tobias Picker’s Therese Raquin last weekend at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro with the Long Beach Opera. A Los Angeles Times article praised Cazan’s production for being “naturalistic, focused and unfussy, true to… Continue reading Ken Cazan reviewed in Los Angeles Times for revival of Tobias Picker’s “Therese Raquin”
USC Thornton students Alex Biniaz-Harris and Ambrose Soehn featured in the Los Angeles Times
USC Thornton students Alex Biniaz-Harris and Ambrose Soehn perform today in Kraków, Poland, at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, playing a piano suite they composed based on melodies sung by Holocaust survivors they found in archives of the USC Shoah Foundation. The piano suite and performance… Continue reading USC Thornton students Alex Biniaz-Harris and Ambrose Soehn featured in the Los Angeles Times
USC Thornton faculty harpist JoAnn Turovsky featured in The Opera League of Los Angeles newsletter
USC Thornton harp faculty JoAnn Turovsky, was featured in a piece for The Opera League of Los Angeles newsletter, BRAVO, detailing her career as a harpist in the Los Angeles Opera. In it, Turovsky – who began playing the harp at seven – describes her work in the LA Chamber Orchestra, the LA Master Chorale,… Continue reading USC Thornton faculty harpist JoAnn Turovsky featured in The Opera League of Los Angeles newsletter
Marilyn Horne presents annual master classes at Carnegie Hall
The New York Times reviewed USC Thornton alumna Marilyn Horne’s The Song Continues at Carnegie Hall, a series of master classes that culminates in a public performance. Three young singers performed for the famed mezzo-soprano. The annual event also features a veteran singer each year. The Times noted: “After offering a few anecdotes, including a… Continue reading Marilyn Horne presents annual master classes at Carnegie Hall
Courtney Wise releases album with group Duo Bohème
USC Thornton alumna Courtney Wise (BM ’10) recently released an album titled Senza Misura with her flute and guitar group, Duo Bohème. Wise founded the group with guitarist Lyle Sheffler, and they specialize in Spanish, Latin, and Bohemian flute and guitar music. Wise, who studied with USC Thornton faculty Gary Woodward, is a proponent of… Continue reading Courtney Wise releases album with group Duo Bohème
Roger Myers elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London
Thornton alum Roger Myers (BM ’90, MM ’92), a professor of viola at the University of Texas at Austin, was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London in November of 2014. The Royal Society of arts describes itself as a worldwide community of achievers from a wide array of backgrounds and… Continue reading Roger Myers elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in London
Green Umbrella performance features USC Thornton faculty Brian Head, Marion Kuszyk and student Eric Jacobs
The Los Angeles Times reviewed the L.A. Phil’s Green Umbrella series concert in December featuring a program of new music by composers from Germany, Switzerland and Italy as well as a mid-20th century classic by Karlheinz Stockhausen. Titled the “European Avant-Garde,” the concert featured Thornton faculty Brian Head, chair of the Classical Guitar program; Marion… Continue reading Green Umbrella performance features USC Thornton faculty Brian Head, Marion Kuszyk and student Eric Jacobs
Ruslan Biryukov celebrates Glendale Philharmonic’s 5th anniversary
The Glendale Philharmonic celebrated its fifth anniversary on Sat., Jan. 10 at the First Baptist Church of Glendale. A recent feature in the Los Angeles Daily News mentioned that non-degreed alumnus Ruslan Biryukov (GCRT, ARTD, violoncello) founded the Glendale Philharmonic 5 years ago and is now its artistic director. “Our mission,” says Biryukov of the… Continue reading Ruslan Biryukov celebrates Glendale Philharmonic’s 5th anniversary
Marion Arthur Kuszyk
Marion Arthur Kuszyk joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic as associate principal oboe at the Hollywood Bowl in August 1995. Originally from the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, Kuszyk received her Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory and her Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music. Prior to joining the Philharmonic, Kuszyk was… Continue reading Marion Arthur Kuszyk