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    Ensemble Delirium Musicum pose for a photo.

    Delirium Musicum wins three S.F. Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards

    September 21, 2023

    Delirium Musicum, a chamber ensemble founded by violinist and USC Thornton alumnus Etienne Gara (GCRT ‘13), won three San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards. In addition to Best Chamber Ensemble and Best New Music Ensemble, they won Best Orchestral Performance for the performance of their latest album, SEASONS, at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian… Continue reading Delirium Musicum wins three S.F. Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards


    Photograph of Seth Parker Woods

    Cellist Seth Parker Woods included in Pew Grant

    September 14, 2023

    Seth Parker Woods, a celebrated cellist and USC Thornton Strings faculty member, was included in a major grant from The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, alongside artist Barbara Earl Thomas. As part of a major grant won by the Arthur Ross Gallery, Woods and Thomas will present a new collaborative work for the Philadelphia… Continue reading Cellist Seth Parker Woods included in Pew Grant


    USC Thornton alumnus Daniel Newman-Lessler standing in front of yellow bushes wearing a black coat and taking off glasses.

    Daniel Newman-Lessler conducts USC Thornton students in “Unforgettable Sunrise” premiere

    September 14, 2023

    On September 30, USC Thornton alumnus Daniel Newman-Lessler (MM ’17, BM ’14) will conduct 54 current students in the premiere of Unforgettable Sunrise, a 70 minute symphony by Jacob Rock and Rob Laufer. Rock, a non-verbal teenager with autism, communicated his idea for the symphony through an app on the iPad. To help realize his… Continue reading Daniel Newman-Lessler conducts USC Thornton students in “Unforgettable Sunrise” premiere


    Violinist Francisco Fullana

    Violinist Francisco Fullana featured in The Strad

    August 31, 2023

    Francisco Fullana, a violinist and USC Thornton alumnus (GCRT ‘15), was featured in The Strad on August 7. He discussed the childhood summers in Andalusia that inspired his latest album, Spanish Light. “One of my earliest recollections involves walking hand in hand with my great-grandmother on a hot summer night, as music and laughter filtered… Continue reading Violinist Francisco Fullana featured in The Strad


    Astral Mixtape string quartet with their instruments in tunnel lit by red neon.

    Astral Mixtape named winner of 2023 Astral Artists National Competition

    August 17, 2023

    Astral Mixtape, which features USC Thornton alumni Misha Vayman (GCRT ’20), Juan-Salvador Carrasco (MM ’19, GCRT, ’20) and Michael Siess (MM ’19), was named a winner of the 2023 Astral Artists National Competition. The chamber ensemble is one of seven winners who have been invited to join the artist roster in Astral’s 23/24 season. Still… Continue reading Astral Mixtape named winner of 2023 Astral Artists National Competition


    Photo of concert violinist Midori holding a violin and smiling.

    Midori named artistic director of Ravinia Steans Music Institute

    July 18, 2023

    Midori, a celebrated violinist and USC Thornton Judge Widney Professor of Music, has been named artistic director of the piano and strings program at Ravinia Steans Music Institute (RSMI). She will succeed esteemed violinist Miriam Fried, who has held the position since 1994. Her new appointment, effective fall 2023, will involve leading young professional musicians… Continue reading Midori named artistic director of Ravinia Steans Music Institute


    Photo of violinist Bing Wang smiling.

    Bing Wang receives honorary degree from Manhattan School of Music

    July 5, 2023

    World-renowned violinist and USC Thornton Strings faculty member Bing Wang received an honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree from her alma mater, Manhattan School of Music (MSM), at their commencement ceremony on May 18. Wang earned a master’s degree from MSM in 1991 under the tutelage of Thornton Jascha Heifetz Chair in Violin, Glenn Dicterow.… Continue reading Bing Wang receives honorary degree from Manhattan School of Music


    Photo of a harp on stage at a classical concert hall.

    Kaitlin Miller wins first prize in 25th American Harp Society National Competition

    July 4, 2023

    Kaitlin Miller, a master’s student in the USC Thornton Strings department, has won first prize in the Young Professional division of the 25th American Harp Society (AHS) National Competition. The competition was held May 31-June 4 at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. In 2019, Miller won the AHS in Dallas Scholarship Competition. As this… Continue reading Kaitlin Miller wins first prize in 25th American Harp Society National Competition


    Black & white photo of violinist Eudice Shapiro.

    Violinist Eudice Shapiro commemorated in article by The Forward

    June 15, 2023

    Pioneering violinist and former USC Thornton strings faculty member Eudice Shapiro was commemorated in an article by The Forward on May 9. Journalist Benjamin Ivry shared little-known facts about Shapiro’s life and the Jewish friends, composers and students who were a part of it. The article referenced USC News’ Title IX story on Shapiro, featuring… Continue reading Violinist Eudice Shapiro commemorated in article by The Forward


    Ensemble Delirium Musicum pose for a photo.

    Etienne Gara releases new album with Delirium Musicum

    June 8, 2023

    Violinist and USC Thornton alumnus Etienne Gara (GCRT ’13) released the album SEASONS for Warner Classics on April 7. He collaborated with chamber ensemble Delirium Musicum, which includes USC Thornton alumni YuEun Kim (GCRT ‘15, AD ‘17) and Misha Vayman (GCRT ’20). Described as “eight delightfully unhinged seasons,” the album features Max Richter’s The New… Continue reading Etienne Gara releases new album with Delirium Musicum