Christian Amonson records “Spem in Alium: A Choral Adoration” by Christ Cathedral Music
USC Thornton Music Technology faculty member Christian Amonson was the recording engineer for the album, Spem in Alium: A Choral Adoration, by the music ministry of Christ Cathedral in Orange County. It is the first-ever choral recording in the cathedral sanctuary that showcases various singers from 30 parishes throughout the Diocese of Orange. The new… Continue reading Christian Amonson records “Spem in Alium: A Choral Adoration” by Christ Cathedral Music
Patrice Rushen receives Roland Corporation Lifetime Achievement Award
USC Thornton Popular Music program faculty member Patrice Rushen received Roland Corporation’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2025 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show in Anaheim, CA. Roland Corporation is a manufacturer and distributor of electronic musical instruments. Rushen was awarded for impacting the music industry as a trailblazer and mentor to young musicians.… Continue reading Patrice Rushen receives Roland Corporation Lifetime Achievement Award
Guitarist Xinqian Li to Perform in Disney’s “Newsies”
USC Thornton Studio Guitar program doctoral candidate Xinqian Li (MM ’24) will perform in Disney’s Newsies musical, presented by the Conundrum Theatre Company. Performances will take place on January 23, 24 and 26 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Inspired by the 1899 Newsboys’ Strike in New York City, Newsies follows a charismatic… Continue reading Guitarist Xinqian Li to Perform in Disney’s “Newsies”
Amy Blackman
Amy Blackman was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. After receiving an MA in Cultural Anthropology from Columbia University, she began a career in artist management, based in Los Angeles. For 18 years, Blackman managed the global businesses of multi-Grammy Award winning music artists and producers. Between 2007-2011, she was made cultural ambassador for the US… Continue reading Amy Blackman
Luciana Souza
Luciana Souza was born in São Paulo, Brazil in 1966. Souza grew up in a family of Bossa Nova innovators—her father, a singer and songwriter, her mother, a poet and lyricist. Her work as a performer transcends traditional boundaries around musical styles, offering solid roots in jazz, sophisticated lineage in world music and an enlightened… Continue reading Luciana Souza
Tom Hall
Tom Hall is a Tasmanian, Australian electronic audio-visual artist who now calls Los Angeles, CA his home. With a two-decade career in the music industry across multiple continents, Hall’s journey has been expansive. His educational background includes graduating from the Australian National University, majoring in Media Arts and pursuing further studies in sound at Kyoto… Continue reading Tom Hall
Jane Davidson
Jane Davidson is an attorney who focuses her practice on Entertainment Law and Litigation at Munck Wilson Mandala. After graduating from USC Thornton’s Music Industry program, Davidson worked full-time in the music industry while pursuing her law degree from Loyola Law School’s evening program. As a litigator, her primary focus area is intellectual property in entertainment… Continue reading Jane Davidson
Joe Poindexter
Joe Poindexter is the chief communications officer and executive vice president of digital at PULSE Music Group, an independent music publisher, record label and music services company based in Los Angeles. The company’s roster of talented artists, producers and songwriters includes Brent Faiyaz, James Blake, Turnstile, Kehlani, FNZ, Ty Dolla $ign, Cordae, Tyler Johnson, Freddie… Continue reading Joe Poindexter
Clarence Penn
Clarence Penn, a highly accomplished jazz drummer, is renowned for his remarkable talents in music composition, production and education. Since his arrival in New York City in 1991, Penn has collaborated with an impressive list of A-list artists, including Ellis and Wynton Marsalis, Maria Schneider, Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves, Michael Brecker and Fourplay, among others.… Continue reading Clarence Penn
Amy Andersson
Amy Andersson is an internationally recognized, Grammy-winning conductor and producer. Named by British music critic Norman Lebrecht as “America’s most-watched symphony orchestra conductor,” Andersson has been praised for her dynamic musicality, expressive technique and cross genre repertoire. She has toured to over 22 countries conducting concerts and recording sessions in symphonic, operatic, film, musical theater… Continue reading Amy Andersson