Karina DePiano performs with Troye Sivan on “Late Night”
Recent Popular Music alumna Karina DePiano (BM ’16, popular music) performed with artist Troye Sivan this week on Late Night with Seth Meyers. DePiano, who was profiled by USC Thornton last year for her work as an emerging musical director, has also worked as a keyboardist for Rita Ora. Click here to watch DePiano’s performance… Continue reading Karina DePiano performs with Troye Sivan on “Late Night”
Sean Holt contributes tips for vocal health on tour
Popular Music faculty member Sean Holt (MM ’91, jazz studies) was recently quoted in Reverb about his “5 Tips For Vocal Health While On Tour.” The USC Thornton alumnus and professional vocalist with 25 years of performing experience compared the physical challenges of touring as a vocalist to those faced by professional athletes. “When you… Continue reading Sean Holt contributes tips for vocal health on tour
Alumna traces her journey “From Pop into Theatre”
Divya Maus (BA ’14), a graduate of the USC Thornton Popular Music program, has authored a guest column for ContemporaryMusicalTheater.com, where she wrote a wide-ranging article about her journey from popular music to musical theater. Her soul-searching insights into her experiences at Thornton provide a point of departure to consider the nature of being a… Continue reading Alumna traces her journey “From Pop into Theatre”
Trojan Family Magazine spotlights musicians – and the specialists who keep them healthy
The spring issue of USC’s Trojan Family Magazine includes a feature article exploring the special relationship between musicians and the medical specialists who help to keep them in top performing condition. The piece profiled two USC Thornton students – Popular Music junior Javen Smith and Vocal Arts alumnus Justin Fatu Su’esu’e (MM ’16) – and… Continue reading Trojan Family Magazine spotlights musicians – and the specialists who keep them healthy
Melissa Manchester premieres new musical in Houston
Musician, songwriter, and USC Thornton Popular Music faculty member Melissa Manchester recently premiered a new musical, The Sweet Potato Queens, at Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) Underground. Based on the well known book series by Jill Conner Browne, the musical tells the story of a woman learning to live on her own terms. The… Continue reading Melissa Manchester premieres new musical in Houston
Musicologist Joanna Demers awarded research scholarship
USC Thornton Musicology faculty member Joanna Demers has received an Advancing Scholarship in the Humanities and Social Sciences research grant from the University of Southern California Provost’s Office. The grant was awarded in acknowledgement of her forthcoming book, Musical Fictions: Conditions for the Possibility of Popular Music. Demers’ research covers popular and experimental music, philosophy,… Continue reading Musicologist Joanna Demers awarded research scholarship
Up-and-coming pop singer Rozzi Crane discusses new projects
Last month, Teen Vogue published a profile of USC Thornton alumna Rozzi Crane, a rising pop star. The site premiered Crane’s latest music video, “The Thought of You,” the second song on her EP, Time. Vogue praised the singer’s “unique, full voice” and told readers to expect Crane to continue to dazzle the popular music… Continue reading Up-and-coming pop singer Rozzi Crane discusses new projects
USC Thornton students and ensembles perform at the 2016 Festival of Books
This weekend, an estimated 150,000 book-lovers will descend on the USC campus for the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, April 9 & 10. In addition to the hundreds of readings, signings, and literary festivities, the USC Stage at Hanh Plaza will present an exciting lineup of musicians and ensembles, including a number of… Continue reading USC Thornton students and ensembles perform at the 2016 Festival of Books
Chris Sampson interviewed by The Sound 100.3 FM
Chris Sampson, Vice Dean of Contemporary Music at USC Thornton, was interviewed on The Sound 100.3 recently about Thornton’s innovative Popular Music program, of which he is the founding director. Sampson spoke about his tenure at USC, his experiences working with award-winning Contemporary Music students, and the musical icons that he has invited to perform… Continue reading Chris Sampson interviewed by The Sound 100.3 FM
Vocalist Melissa Manchester hits the road on international tour
Melissa Manchester, GRAMMY Award-winning vocalist and faculty member in the USC Thornton Popular Music program, is hitting the road on an international tour, beginning this month in Palm Beach, Florida. The tour, which will continue on to the Philippines, Washington state, New York, Las Vegas, and beyond, will feature songs off of her 2015 album,… Continue reading Vocalist Melissa Manchester hits the road on international tour