
Seth Parker Woods appointed Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton
Seth Parker Woods has been appointed by the USC Provost as the new holder of the Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at the USC Thornton School of Music. Woods has been a USC Thornton Strings faculty member since the fall of 2022. He also serves as the founder and director of the… Continue reading Seth Parker Woods appointed Robert Mann Chair in Strings and Chamber Music at USC Thornton

USC Thornton instrumentalists perform in “The Comet/Poppea”
The Comet/Poppea, a new opera by Yuval Sharon, premiered at the MOCA on June 14 and ran through June 23. The production featured USC Thornton Early Music faculty member Jason Yoshida on the theorbo, Strings doctoral student Eric Tinkerhess on the viola de gamba and alumnus Coleman Itzkoff (MM ’16) on the cello. As described… Continue reading USC Thornton instrumentalists perform in “The Comet/Poppea”

Kaitlin Miller named 2023-2025 Concert Artist of American Harp Society
Kaitlin Miller, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Strings department, was named the American Harp Society’s (AHS) 2023-2025 Concert Artist. As AHS Concert Artist, she will give performances, classes and/or workshops that benefit local harp communities. In February, she performed recitals and taught masterclasses in Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago and Denver, with more travels on… Continue reading Kaitlin Miller named 2023-2025 Concert Artist of American Harp Society

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

Master’s student Nico Valencia selected for 2023-2025 LACO Fellowship
Nico Valencia, a violist and master’s student in the USC Thornton Strings department, was selected for Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s 2023-2025 Fellowship program. Presented in partnership with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the program aims to diversify American orchestras and support emerging classical musicians of color. As one of four fellows, Valencia… Continue reading Master’s student Nico Valencia selected for 2023-2025 LACO Fellowship

Chamber music ensemble AGAVE releases new album
Grammy-nominated chamber music ensemble AGAVE, which features USC Thornton alumni Kevin Cooper (DMA ‘06) and William Skeen (MM ‘01), released the album AGAVE: In Her Hands. The recording features acclaimed soprano Michele Kennedy and works from composers Florence Price, Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn, Pauline Viardot, Dora Pejacevic and Margaret Bonds. AGAVE: In Her Hands celebrates… Continue reading Chamber music ensemble AGAVE releases new album

Alumni perform with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Fugees in Los Angeles
On Nov. 4-5, USC Thornton Jazz Studies alumnus Jordan DeTiege (’22) and Strings alumna Karoline Menezes (MM ’15, GCRT ’17) performed in The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour with Ms. Lauryn Hill and the Fugees. DeTeige played saxophone as a member of the brass ensemble, The Regiment Horns, while Menezes played violin as… Continue reading Alumni perform with Ms. Lauryn Hill and Fugees in Los Angeles

Stella Cho joins the Colburn School’s cello faculty
USC Thornton Cello Performance alumna Stella Cho (’12, MM ’14, DMA ’22) has joined the Colburn School as a cello instructor. She is also a cello faculty member at Loyola Marymount University. Cho regularly performs in the SAKURA Cello Quintet and the chamber ensemble Delirium Musicum. At Thornton, she studied under Gregor Piatigorsky Chair in… Continue reading Stella Cho joins the Colburn School’s cello faculty

Jeffrey Kahane conducts LACO in world premiere of Nina Young’s “Violin Concerto: Traces”
Jeffrey Kahane, a USC Thornton Keyboard Studies faculty member and conductor laureate of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, will conduct the world premiere of “Violin Concerto: Traces,” composed by Thornton Composition faculty member Nina Young. The piece will be performed by violinist Jennifer Koh on Nov. 11 at the Alex Theatre and Nov. 12 at… Continue reading Jeffrey Kahane conducts LACO in world premiere of Nina Young’s “Violin Concerto: Traces”

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