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    Photo of Jackson Wang

    Liam Kevany co-writes, co-produces and plays on Jackson Wang’s “Blow”

    April 19, 2022

    USC Thornton Studio Guitar program alumnus Liam Kevany (’15) co-wrote, co-produced and played bass on 88rising artist Jackson Wang’s newest single, “Blow.” In the first week since its premiere, the music video for the song garnered over 9 million views. Kevany, who studied studio and jazz guitar at USC Thornton, currently serves as Noah Cyrus’… Continue reading Liam Kevany co-writes, co-produces and plays on Jackson Wang’s “Blow”


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    Los Angeles Guitar Quartet releases Opalescent

    April 18, 2022

    The GRAMMY Award-winning Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, which features USC Thornton faculty members William Kanengiser and Scott Tennant, USC Thornton alumnus Matthew Greif (MM ’92) and John Dearman, has released its fourteenth album, Opalescent. This release marks the group’s 40th anniversary as a touring ensemble. All of the songs on the album were recorded at… Continue reading Los Angeles Guitar Quartet releases Opalescent


    Nobody Knows event poster

    Ronald C. McCurdy and Anita Dashiell-Sparks present Nobody Knows: Voices Unmuted at the GRAMMY Museum

    April 12, 2022

    Ronald C. McCurdy, the assistant dean of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Initiatives for the USC Thornton School of Music, along with Anita Dashiell-Sparks, the associate dean of JEDI for the USC School of Dramatic Arts, has curated a collaborative interdisciplinary project entitled Nobody Knows: Voices Unmuted. This student-driven project features empowered voices from… Continue reading Ronald C. McCurdy and Anita Dashiell-Sparks present Nobody Knows: Voices Unmuted at the GRAMMY Museum


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    Ted Hearne commissioned by UCLA to reimagine Stephen Sondheim composition

    April 8, 2022

    UCLA’s Center for the Art of Performance commissioned USC Thornton Composition faculty member Ted Hearne to write a re-imagined version of a Stephen Sondheim piece. The song will be played by celebrated pianist Anthony de Mare in his performance of Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano on April 10 at 7 p.m.


    Photo of Frederick Lesemann

    Thornton Edge releases album of music by Thornton emeritus professor Frederick Lesemann

    April 5, 2022

    A new recording of the USC Thornton Edge, directed by Donald Crockett, celebrates the life and work of Frederick Lesemann, emeritus professor of composition at the USC Thornton School of Music. Frederick Lesemann: Songs and Concertinos features three concertinos for small ensembles, as well as a collection of three songs inspired by poetry written more… Continue reading Thornton Edge releases album of music by Thornton emeritus professor Frederick Lesemann


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    Michael Abels interviewed on TODAY show

    March 28, 2022

    Award-winning composer and USC Thornton Composition program alum Michael Abels (’84) was featured in a Today Show segment about how he’s breaking down barriers in Hollywood. The segment detailed Abels’ career from when he started working with director Jordan Peele on the horror hit Get Out to his involvement with the Composers Diversity Collective and… Continue reading Michael Abels interviewed on TODAY show


    Photo of Marina Hovhannisyan singing

    Marina Hovhannisyan releases EP of Armenian music

    March 9, 2022

    Early music vocal performance master’s student Marina Hovhannisyan released an EP, A Living Story, on Feb. 7. The project features a collection of five Armenian folk songs from different regions, composers and time periods including “Your Prominent Eyes” by Komitas and “Foreign Nightingale” by Sayat Nova.


    Photo of Camae Ayewa (Dennis)

    Camae Ayewa hosts virtual USC Visions & Voices event

    February 24, 2022

    USC Visions & Voices hosts a virtual event on Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. with Black Quantum Futurism, a multidisciplinary collaboration between USC Thornton Composition faculty member Camae Ayewa and Rasheedah Phillips that explores the intersections of futurism, creative media, DIY-aesthetics and activism in marginalized communities through an alternative temporal lens. The duo will host… Continue reading Camae Ayewa hosts virtual USC Visions & Voices event


    Photo of Quenton Blache playing the cello

    Quenton Blache performs with the Peninsula Symphony with guest conductor Andrew Shulman

    February 18, 2022

    USC Thornton composition and cello performance student Quenton Blache performs with the Peninsula Symphony on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. The concert will feature guest conductor Andrew Shulman, a USC Thornton Strings Department faculty member, who will be giving a pre-concert lecture at 6:15 p.m. Blache is an accomplished cellist and composer. In 2021, he… Continue reading Quenton Blache performs with the Peninsula Symphony with guest conductor Andrew Shulman


    This picture zooms on 3 of the Golden Bridge members singing onstage.

    The Golden Bridge premieres works from USC Thornton faculty and alumni

    February 18, 2022

    During a concert on Feb. 19, The Golden Bridge — a 20-member choral group led by USC Thornton Choral & Sacred Music Department faculty member Suzi Digby — will premiere works by fellow choral faculty member Nick Strimple and Thornton alumnus Saunder Choi (MM ‘16). The program includes the world premieres of “The Silver Swan”… Continue reading The Golden Bridge premieres works from USC Thornton faculty and alumni