
Chanda Dancy to compose score for upcoming film “Devotion”
USC Thornton Screen Scoring program alumna Chanda Dancy (GRCT ‘04) will compose the score for upcoming film “Devotion.” The film is based on a book of the same name by Adam Makos about the first black aviator pilot in the Navy during the Korean War. Dancy is an accomplished film and TV composer known for… Continue reading Chanda Dancy to compose score for upcoming film “Devotion”

Multiple USC Thornton Grads and Faculty Nominated for 2023 GRAMMY Awards
Alumni and faculty from the Jazz Studies program lead a lengthy list of USC Thornton nominees.

Making the City a Classroom
Music Industry program students gained hands-on experience and networking opportunities at the Black Music Action Coalition Awards.

The Process: Ethan Chilton
Jazz Studies alum took advantage of opportunities at USC Thornton to compose for jazz and orchestral musicians.

Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley
USC Thornton Studio Guitar and Popular Music professor Richard Smith has released a new single called “Groove Assets” on Sept. 1. According to The Urban Music Scene, the single was produced and co-written by USC Thornton alumnus Adam Hawley (BA ‘06, MA ‘08, DMA ‘10). “Groove Assets” is their third collaboration together. “There is no… Continue reading Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley

Loren Medina talks about working with today’s Latinx music stars
USC Thornton Music Industry program adjunct instructor and Latina publicist Loren Medina was interviewed by POPSUGAR about how she founded her firm Guerrera PR, Marketing & Management and came to work with some of today’s rising Latinx music stars. In the interview, Medina touched on the importance of maintaining her authenticity despite the industry’s pressures,… Continue reading Loren Medina talks about working with today’s Latinx music stars

säje releases first single from their debut album
GRAMMY-nominated female vocal supergroup säje, which includes USC Thornton Jazz Studies faculty member Sara Gazarek, released the first single from their upcoming debut album on September 12. The single is a cover of “As This Moment Slips Away” by The Bad Plus bassist Reid Anderson, and it features three-time GRAMMY-winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, saxophonist… Continue reading säje releases first single from their debut album

A Summer to Remember
Thornton Student Ambassadors look back on a summer of unforgettable opportunities and important lessons.

Trio of Jazz Studies faculty Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua and Darek Oles releases album “Live in Italy”
The Peter Erskine Trio — composed of Erskine and his fellow Thornton Jazz Studies Department faculty members Darek Oles and Alan Pasqua — released the album “Live in Italy” on Fuzzy Records this May. The live album features ten tracks from the trio’s performance in Camogli, Italy. Renowned bassist John Patitucci commented, “It should come… Continue reading Trio of Jazz Studies faculty Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua and Darek Oles releases album “Live in Italy”

Personal Connections
USC Thornton begins the new semester with a symphony performance highlighting personal, evocative compositions.