Posts Tagged ‘Contemporary Music’


Portrait of Chanda Dancy

Chanda Dancy to compose score for upcoming film “Devotion”

November 18, 2022

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”


Photo of Seth Parker Woods performing with an illustration of a GRAMMY Award.

Multiple USC Thornton Grads and Faculty Nominated for 2023 GRAMMY Awards

November 15, 2022

Alumni and faculty from the Jazz Studies program lead a lengthy list of USC Thornton nominees.


Photo illustration of music notes swirling through a photo of a skyline of Los Angeles.

Making the City a Classroom

November 3, 2022

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


Photo of a trumpet player in purple stage light.

The Process: Ethan Chilton

October 27, 2022

Jazz Studies alum took advantage of opportunities at USC Thornton to compose for jazz and orchestral musicians.  


Photo of Richard Smith playing a red electric guitar.

Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley

October 25, 2022

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


Photo of Loren Medina, 2021

Loren Medina talks about working with today’s Latinx music stars

October 12, 2022

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


Photo of jazz group saje, wearing yellow uniforms holding flowers.

säje releases first single from their debut album

September 19, 2022

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


Photo collage of smiling students with their instruments.

A Summer to Remember

September 15, 2022

Thornton Student Ambassadors look back on a summer of unforgettable opportunities and important lessons.


Photo of "Live in Italy" album cover

Trio of Jazz Studies faculty Peter Erskine, Alan Pasqua and Darek Oles releases album “Live in Italy”

September 14, 2022

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”


Photo of an orchestra performing on stage with illustrated elements surrounding it.

Personal Connections

September 8, 2022

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