Matthew Krell wins first prize in World Piano Teachers Association International Piano Competition
Matthew Krell, a DMA student in the USC Thornton Keyboard Studies program, has won first prize in composition in the 2023 World Piano Teachers Association International Piano Competition with his piece, “Improvisation after Paganini.” Krell’s winning composition will be presented at the online World Piano Conference, scheduled for May 20-24. *** Photo courtesy of the… Continue reading Matthew Krell wins first prize in World Piano Teachers Association International Piano Competition
Jeffrey Kahane named music director of San Antonio Philharmonic
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member Jeffrey Kahane has been named music director of the San Antonio Philharmonic. Kahane will begin his tenure with the Philharmonic in their 2024-2025 season while continuing to teach at Thornton. Curated by Kahane, the 2024-2025 season will showcase pieces both classical and contemporary, including the work of Thornton alumnus… Continue reading Jeffrey Kahane named music director of San Antonio Philharmonic
Keyboard Studies faculty and student release new music
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member Bernadene Blaha released a CD album, Noskowski & Żeleński: Violin Sonatas, with violinist Laurence Kayaleh via Naxos Records. The album, released Dec. 1 on Apple Music, features the work of Polish composers Zygmunt Noskowski and Władysław Żeleński. A performance of Violin Sonata in A minor off the album can… Continue reading Keyboard Studies faculty and student release new music
Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini
USC Thornton Board of Councilors Chair Gregg Field was featured in a new CBS Sunday Morning segment on the late composer Henry Mancini. Field discussed the fame of Mancini’s film and television music, such as the ubiquitous “Pink Panther Theme” and “Moon River” from Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The segment included a recording session of his… Continue reading Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini
Elise Solberg performs with Chlöe on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert
USC Thornton Piano Studies alumna Elise Solberg (’18) performed as the keyboardist in Chlöe Bailey’s band for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert, published on September 5. In 2022, Solberg joined Beyoncé’s band at the 94th Academy Awards, playing the keys for her Oscar-nominated song “Be Alive.”
Mikhail Korzhev
Mikhail Korzhev, a pianist who “projects strength, atmosphere and the ability to tangle even the knottiest passages” (International Record Review) is equally active as a solo recitalist, a performer with various chamber groups, a soloist with orchestras and a recording artist. Among his CD recordings is the Complete Piano Concertos of Ernst Krenek in collaboration with English… Continue reading Mikhail Korzhev
Pianist Rixiang Huang releases album with KNS Classical
Pianist and USC Thornton keyboard studies alumnus Rixiang Huang (DMA ’23) released his album Eternal Soul with KNS Classical on May 24. The album features a prelude and fugue by Bach, followed by sonatas by Beethoven and Chopin.
Rixiang Huang selected as Steinway Artist
Lauded pianist and USC Thornton keyboard studies alumnus Rixiang Huang (DMA ‘23) has been selected as a Steinway Artist. He joins a community of more than 1,600 acclaimed artists affiliated with the piano company. In 2021, Huang won first place at the 12th Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford and Los Angeles International Liszt Piano… Continue reading Rixiang Huang selected as Steinway Artist
2022-2023 Year in Review
Looking back on a remarkable year at USC Thornton.
Celine Chen to be featured on NPR program “From the Top”
Celine Chen, a USC Thornton Keyboard Studies student of Bernadene Blaha, will be featured on NPR’s “From the Top,” a program that documents performances and personal stories of classically-trained young musicians from across the country. Chen will perform Stephen Hough’s Fanfare Toccata. The episode airs nationally across NPR stations during the week of May 8.… Continue reading Celine Chen to be featured on NPR program “From the Top”