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.”
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”
Cameron Akioka wins first place at 50th Annual Edith Knox Performance Competition
USC Thornton Keyboard Studies graduate student Cameron Akioka won first place at the 50th Annual Edith Knox Performance Competition playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major. As first place winner, Akioka will perform Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto as soloist with the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra on June 25, 2023.
Nic Gerpe released studio album for “The Makrokosmos 50 Project”
USC Thornton alumnus Nic Gerpe (DMA ’12) released a studio album for “The Makrokosmos 50 Project” on March 15, now available on all digital streaming platforms. Gerpe commissioned 11 composers to collaborate with him in creating musical responses to individual movements of George Crumb’s Makrokosmos, Volume I. He recorded the final pieces as a studio… Continue reading Nic Gerpe released studio album for “The Makrokosmos 50 Project”
Lenny Hayes selected as a 2022-2023 Piano Spheres Emerging Artist
USC Thornton keyboard studies doctoral candidate Lenny Hayes has been selected as Emerging Artist for the 2022-2023 Piano Spheres Artist Series. Hayes, under the mentorship of Dr. William Chapman Nyaho, will present piano works by composers of the African Diaspora. This program will also include a commissioned work by a living composer. The classical pianist’s… Continue reading Lenny Hayes selected as a 2022-2023 Piano Spheres Emerging Artist