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    Conductor Jeffrey Kahane leads an orchestra.

    Jeffrey Kahane named music director of San Antonio Philharmonic

    February 2, 2024

    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


    Close up of piano strings in an open piano.

    Keyboard Studies faculty and student release new music

    December 13, 2023

    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 being interviewed on CBS Sunday Morning.

    Gregg Field featured in CBS Sunday Morning segment on Henry Mancini

    October 25, 2023

    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


    Pianist Elise Solberg with her piano, smiling.

    Elise Solberg performs with Chlöe on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert

    October 2, 2023

    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.”


    Concert pianist Rixiang Huang posing in front of a window indoors and looking off to the right of the camera.

    Pianist Rixiang Huang releases album with KNS Classical

    July 27, 2023

    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.


    Pianist Rixiang Huang poses and smiles in front of his piano.

    Rixiang Huang selected as Steinway Artist

    May 9, 2023

    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


    Image collage of musicians and students from a year in review at USC Thornton.

    2022-2023 Year in Review

    May 8, 2023

    Looking back on a remarkable year at USC Thornton.


    Photo of Celine Chen seated at the piano.

    Celine Chen to be featured on NPR program “From the Top”

    May 3, 2023

    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

    April 13, 2023

    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.


    Photo of pianist and educator Nic Gerpe.

    Nic Gerpe released studio album for “The Makrokosmos 50 Project”

    April 11, 2023

    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”