Cali Wang wins BMI Pete Carpenter Fellowship
Composer and sound artist Cali Wang (MM ’18), an alumna of USC Thornton’s Screen Scoring program, was recently announced as the winner of the BMI Foundation’s 2018 Pete Carpenter Fellowship for her composition, New to the World. The annual fellowship awards an aspiring film, television and video composer with a cash stipend and intensive mentorship… Continue reading Cali Wang wins BMI Pete Carpenter Fellowship
Alumnus Robert Lydecker scores second season of “Iron Fist”
Composer and USC Thornton alumnus Robert Lydecker (BM ’08 Composition, GCRT ’09 Film Scoring), scored the second season of the Netlix original series Iron Fist, which premiered September 7th. Lydecker also co-scored two seasons of ABC’s Designated Survivor with composer Sean Callery, and co-composed the score for the 2017 film XXX: Return of Xander Cage… Continue reading Alumnus Robert Lydecker scores second season of “Iron Fist”
The Yellowjackets to release new album
The Los Angeles-based jazz quartet, the Yellowjackets, will release a new album on September 14th. The group, which includes three USC Thornton faculty – saxophonist Bob Mintzer, keyboardist Russell Ferrante, and drummer Will Kennedy – along with bassist Dane Alderson, has recorded close to 30 albums, been nominated for 17 GRAMMY Awards, and has been… Continue reading The Yellowjackets to release new album
Will Kennedy
Will Kennedy is a drummer whose musicality and finesse are legendary in the jazz world and beyond, performing with luminaries such as Herbie Hancock, Chaka Khan, Snarky Puppy, Bobby McFerrin, Esperanza Spalding, George Benson, and Lee Ritenour. His career is marked by pushing musical boundaries and a desire to be inspired yet be an inspiration.… Continue reading Will Kennedy
Film scoring alumni selected for Universal Film Music Composer Initiative
Four USC Thornton film scoring alumni – George Shaw (BM ’04, Film Scoring), Jermaine Stegall (GCRT ’04, SMPTV), Layla Minoui (GCRT ’08, SMPTV), and Jongnic Bontemps (GCRT ’12, SMPTV) – have been selected as finalists for the Universal Film Music Composer Initiative, which aims to nurture up-and-coming screen composers. As noted in the Hollywood Reporter,… Continue reading Film scoring alumni selected for Universal Film Music Composer Initiative
Jessi Mason receives ASCAP’s Molly Hymen Scholarship
Jessi Mason, a senior in USC Thornton’s Popular Music program, is the recipient of the 2018 ASCAP Foundation Molly Hymen Music Scholarship. The annual scholarship benefits an outstanding undergraduate of the school’s Division of Contemporary Music who is also undertaking Music Industry classes. Mason recently released her second EP, Night Owl, which received a nomination… Continue reading Jessi Mason receives ASCAP’s Molly Hymen Scholarship
Brian Malouf
Brian Malouf pursued a career in music with unwavering passion from the third grade. A first chair symphonic percussionist by the end of his university days, he became immersed in sound engineering in 1980. In 1983, his career as a world-class studio talent was jump-started when the legendary Michael Jackson tapped Malouf to begin work… Continue reading Brian Malouf
Lyndia Johnson
Lyndia Johnson, known as “MzLyndia” among singers, has been a singing teacher/vocal coach in the music industry and in colleges and universities around the US for 25 years. From touring with artists to collaborating with producers and label executives, MzLyndia’s abilities to identify vocal talent, assist singers recovering from vocal illnesses and develop singers technically… Continue reading Lyndia Johnson
Nate Sloan featured in “All Things Considered” piece
Nate Sloan, a new member of the USC Thornton Musicology faculty, was recently featured by NPR’s All Things Considered as part of their “American Anthem” series, exploring the roots of international soccer’s favorite sports anthem, “Seven Nation Army.” The 2003 song, by The White Stripes, features a catchy electric guitar riff that has become a… Continue reading Nate Sloan featured in “All Things Considered” piece
Michael Kaminsky
Michael Kaminsky is the founder and president of KMGMT, Inc, an international music management company that represents artists, writers, producers and composers. With over 15 years of management experience, the company boasts a #1 record with 15 million singles sold, writing credits for artists from Katy Perry and Ke$ha to Maroon5 and Portugal the Man,… Continue reading Michael Kaminsky