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Alumnus Olivier Ochanine wins international conducting competiton
Conductor Olivier Ochanine (MM ’07, conducting), USC Thornton alumnus and music director of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, has received first prize at the 2015 Antal Doráti International Conducting Competition in Budapest. The prestigious competition, created in honor of the Hungarian-born conductor and composer who became an American citizen in 1947, was held in collaboration with… Continue reading Alumnus Olivier Ochanine wins international conducting competiton
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Choral alum Robert P.D. Duff to direct Brandeis University program
USC Thornton Choral Music alumnus Robert P.D. Duff (DMA ’00) has been appointed to Brandeis University as Choral Conductor, where he will lead two choral ensembles, teach conducting and oversee their vocal program. He will continue as Artistic and Musical Director at the Handel Society at Dartmouth. Duff formerly served as Director of Music for… Continue reading Choral alum Robert P.D. Duff to direct Brandeis University program
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Masters student Yoona Jeong to participate in conducting masterclass
USC Thornton Choral Music masters candidate Yoona Jeong was selected to participate in the 2015 Princeton Festival Conducting Masterclass in New Jersey this June. The eight-day masterclass, led by Dr. Jan Harrington, will focus on rehearsal technique and participants will lead daily rehearsals with chamber and choral ensembles.
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Alumnus Dominic Gregorio recognized with teaching award
USC Thornton Choral Music alumnus Dominic Gregorio (DMA ’12), currently an Assistant Professor with the University of Regina Music Department, has received the university’s New Faculty Teaching Award of Recognition, which acknowledges “significant teaching excellence, growth, and development for new faculty members.” While at USC, he served as conductor with the USC Thornton Opera, USC… Continue reading Alumnus Dominic Gregorio recognized with teaching award
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Jong-In Kim joins Incheon City Chorale as Assistant Conductor
USC Thornton alumnus Jong-In Kim (DMA ’11) has been named Assistant Conductor of Korea’s most prestigious professional choir, the Incheon City Chorale. In this role, he will function as an interim conductor during the choir’s search for a new Artistic Director. Mr. Kim has served as Assistant Conductor with both CALA (Choral Alchemy of Los… Continue reading Jong-In Kim joins Incheon City Chorale as Assistant Conductor
![Photo of Tram Sparks](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/TramSparks_Square_240-150x150.jpg)
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
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Cristian Grases
Cristian Grases joined the USC Thornton faculty in the Fall 2010 semester and is currently an associate professor of choral music and conductor of the USC Thornton Concert Choir. Born in Venezuela, he earned degrees from the Simón Bolívar University (MM) in Caracas, Venezuela, and the University of Miami (DMA). He has previously served as interim director… Continue reading Cristian Grases
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Larry J. Livingston
Larry Livingston is a distinguished conductor, educator, and administrator, and a highly respected motivational speaker. The founding Music Director of the Illinois Chamber Orchestra, Livingston has appeared with the Houston Symphony and in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Green Umbrella Series. He has conducted at the Festival de Musique in Evian, France, and has led the… Continue reading Larry J. Livingston
![Portrait of Sharon Lavery holding her conductor's baton.](https://music.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/1080x1080-SL-2024-150x150.jpg)
Sharon Lavery
Praised for her passionate and insightful interpretations, Sharon Lavery is known for connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Since 2007 she has been music director of the Downey Symphony Orchestra, an ensemble hailed as one of the best metropolitan orchestras in Southern California. Ms. Lavery has appeared as guest conductor with numerous orchestras, including… Continue reading Sharon Lavery
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Carl St.Clair
Carl St.Clair is internationally recognized for his distinguished career as a professional conductor and master teacher. He has had a continuing relationship with the USC Thornton School of Music for over 25 years as conductor of the USC Thornton orchestras and a faculty lecturer in conducting. In 2012, he took on an expanded role as… Continue reading Carl St.Clair