Troy Quinn to conduct Nas with the Boston Pops
Troy Quinn, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Conducting program, will lead a Boston Pops program featuring rapper Nas on June 27 at Tanglewood. The concert is part of Tanglewood’s Popular Artist Series. Quinn made his Boston Symphony Orchestra debut at their New Year’s Eve celebration. *** Photo courtesy of USC Thornton.
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
Troy Quinn to conduct Boston Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve celebration
Troy Quinn, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Conducting program, will make his Boston Symphony Orchestra debut conducting their New Year’s Eve celebration with singer Bernadette Peters. Taking place on Dec. 31 at 8:00 p.m., the concert will feature Broadway classics and more. Click here to buy tickets. *** Photo courtesy of TristateHomepage.com.
Troy Quinn named pops conductor of Santa Rosa Symphony
Troy Quinn, a faculty member in the USC Thornton Conducting program, was named the pops conductor of the Santa Rosa Symphony. Quinn will make his 2024-25 Symphony Pops Series debut on February 16 with the Classical Mystery Tour: The Music of the Beatles concert. He is the second pops conductor in the Santa Rosa Symphony’s… Continue reading Troy Quinn named pops conductor of Santa Rosa Symphony
Daniel Newman-Lessler conducts USC Thornton students in “Unforgettable Sunrise” premiere
On September 30, USC Thornton alumnus Daniel Newman-Lessler (MM ’17, BM ’14) will conduct 54 current students in the premiere of Unforgettable Sunrise, a 70 minute symphony by Jacob Rock and Rob Laufer. Rock, a non-verbal teenager with autism, communicated his idea for the symphony through an app on the iPad. To help realize his… Continue reading Daniel Newman-Lessler conducts USC Thornton students in “Unforgettable Sunrise” premiere
Jacob Sustaita
Jacob Sustaita serves as the assistant conductor for Pacific Symphony, a position he has held since the fall of 2020. Sustaita also serves as music director and conductor for Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra (PSYO), the premier training orchestra of Orange County, recognized as one of the most outstanding youth orchestras in the country. Sustaita is… Continue reading Jacob Sustaita
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
Conductor Troy Quinn Takes Center Stage with the Rhode Island Philharmonic
USC Thornton faculty member Troy Quinn leads the 2021 summer pops series for the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.
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
USC Thornton artists featured in KUSC’s “Play On, California!”
In a daily broadcast and online feature titled “Play On, California!” Classical KUSC highlights the work California musicians and arts organizations are doing to continue sharing music and create online experiences for audiences while live concerts remain halted. The feature highlights USC Thornton’s Live! From Somewhere series, and the work of various Thornton alumni and… Continue reading USC Thornton artists featured in KUSC’s “Play On, California!”