Michael Arrom
Michael Arrom launched his professional career at 18, when he embarked on an international tour playing keyboards for multi-GRAMMY-winning guitarist Steve Vai. He has been featured on national television, performing alongside country icon Keith Urban and appearing on multiple episodes of the popular television series, Glee. Born in New Jersey, Arrom grew up with a… Continue reading Michael Arrom
Daniel Weidlein to release new jazz album
Composer, saxophonist, and producer Daniel Weidlein (BM ’12), a USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus, will release his debut album, Fire in the Sky, on June 22nd. A preview single, The Red Line Suite, is now available for purchase. Weidlein will present a special album release concert at the Blue Whale in Los Angeles on June… Continue reading Daniel Weidlein to release new jazz album
Jaden Smith highlights work with Thornton faculty member Nick Stoubis
Musician and actor Jaden Smith mentioned his work with Nick Stoubis (pictured), chair of USC Thornton’s Studio Guitar program, on the radio show Big Boy’s Neighborhood on Real 92.3 in Los Angeles. On June 1st, Smith visited the show for an insightful conversation. “People are not making music right now that’s informed by the past,”… Continue reading Jaden Smith highlights work with Thornton faculty member Nick Stoubis
Alumnus Ross Golan releases podcast recorded at Thornton
And The Writer Is…, a podcast by multi-platinum songwriter and USC Thornton alumnus Ross Golan (BM ’01, Music Industry), recently released an episode recorded at a Spring 2018 Popular Music Forum, featuring Thornton students and vice dean Chris Sampson. The podcast’s featured guest, GRAMMY-nominated producer Joe London, has released hit singles with Pitbull, Jason Derulo,… Continue reading Alumnus Ross Golan releases podcast recorded at Thornton
Kevin Lyman
Associate professor of practice in the USC Thornton Music Industry program, Kevin Lyman is best known as founder and producer of the Vans Warped Tour which made its 24th and final cross-country run in 2018. He has been an industry professional for 37 years, having worked his way up from throwing backyard concerts to producing… Continue reading Kevin Lyman
Daedelus releases new album
Electronic musician and USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Alfred Darlington (’00), known professionally as Daedelus, has released his 19th studio album, Taut, and will embark on a European and American tour through the end of July. The Barcelona Sónar Festival recently asked the artist to compose a 10-second, interstellar audio track to communicate with a… Continue reading Daedelus releases new album
Molly Miller pens article for Premier Guitar
A sought-after Los Angeles guitarist, USC Thornton Studio Guitar alumna Molly Miller (BM ’11, DMA ’16) was recently published in Premier Guitar, in the first article of an ongoing series. Her piece, entitled “Dr. Molly’s Guitar Lab: The Badass Riffs of Sister Rosetta Tharpe,” breaks down the compositional patterns behind the “Original Soul Sister’s” distinctive… Continue reading Molly Miller pens article for Premier Guitar
“Billboard” features Fabriq single
Billboard recently profiled the band Fabriq on the release of their third single, “Get Behind the Feeling.” Band members Daniel Davila (BM ’18) and Cooper Bell (BM ’18) are both recent graduates of the USC Thornton Popular Music program and draw inspiration from Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, and Jamiroquai. https://youtu.be/NIfEOlIKJPY According to the musicians, “Get… Continue reading “Billboard” features Fabriq single
Pop artist King Princess (Mikaela Straus) featured on ASCAP panel
Mikaela Straus, a pop artist who performs under the name King Princess, recently took part in a panel discussion at the ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo, alongside musician St. Vincent and journalist Evelyn McDonnell. Straus, who is a non-degreed alumna of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, is the first artist to be signed to… Continue reading Pop artist King Princess (Mikaela Straus) featured on ASCAP panel
Jazz alumna Hiroe Sekine tops songwriting competition
Jazz pianist and USC Thornton alumna Hiroe Sekine (BM ’09) recently won First Place in the jazz category of the International Songwriting Competition (ISC) for the song “Nippon Barre” from her 2017 album, One World One Sun. The album, produced by Jazz Studies faculty member Russell Ferrante, blends traditional Japanese instrumentation with jazz styles and… Continue reading Jazz alumna Hiroe Sekine tops songwriting competition