
2022-2023 Year in Review
Looking back on a remarkable year at USC Thornton.

Fall 2022 Semester in Review
Looking back on an amazing fall 2022 semester at USC Thornton.

Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley
USC Thornton Studio Guitar and Popular Music professor Richard Smith has released a new single called “Groove Assets” on Sept. 1. According to The Urban Music Scene, the single was produced and co-written by USC Thornton alumnus Adam Hawley (BA ‘06, MA ‘08, DMA ‘10). “Groove Assets” is their third collaboration together. “There is no… Continue reading Richard Smith releases new single co-written with alumnus Adam Hawley

Molly Miller
Since Dr. Molly Miller picked up the guitar at age seven, she’s been captivating audiences with her sophisticated and raw style. She’s one of Los Angeles’s most sought-after musicians, recording and touring with artists such as Jason Mraz, Black Eyed Peas, and Sin Bandera, at venues such as the Hollywood Bowl, Royal Albert Hall, and… Continue reading Molly Miller

Popular music program students perform at BMI Pop Awards
On May 10, a group of USC Thornton Popular Music program students including Katherine Nerro, Mateo Gonzales, Aden Black, Jack Munson and Yeji Kim on vocals, Alec Romo-Nichols on drums, Romel Veal and Louie Pereira percussion, Kai Hagen on bass, Soona Lee-Tolley and Manuel Martinez on guitar and Sophie Kierszenbaum and Christopher Roberts on keyboards,… Continue reading Popular music program students perform at BMI Pop Awards

Eliza Petrosyan on tour with Tora-i
USC Thornton Popular Music program student and guitarist Eliza Petrosyan is currently on tour with R&B artist Tora-i, who is opening for Omar Apollo. Petrosyan has previously played with artists WizTheMC and Anna Duboc.

Molly Miller featured in Fretboard Journal
USC Thornton alumna and Studio Guitar program faculty member Molly Miller (’11, MM ’13, DMA ’16) was interviewed in the latest edition of the Fretboard Journal. The feature discusses instrumental storytelling and Miller’s early days with the guitar. “I think what I’ve learned this year in quarantine is, I’ve gotten to connect with people from… Continue reading Molly Miller featured in Fretboard Journal

USC Thornton remembers jazz guitarist and former studio guitar faculty member Joe Diorio
Jazz guitarist and former USC Thornton Studio Guitar program faculty member Joe Diorio passed away at the age of 85 on Feb. 2. During his career, Diorio established himself as a fixture of the American jazz scene, playing with Sonny Stitt, Hal Crook, Anita O’Day, Jaco Pastorius and Freddie Hubbard, among others. Diorio was inspired… Continue reading USC Thornton remembers jazz guitarist and former studio guitar faculty member Joe Diorio

Emily Rosenfield tours with Hamilton (And Peggy) Company
Session guitarist and USC Thornton Studio Guitar alum Emily Rosenfield (’16) is the first female guitarist to tour with the Hamilton (And Peggy) Company. She is also part of Hamilton‘s first-ever majority female band. The company’s music director, Lily Ling, called Rosenfield “amazing” in the November issue of International Musician. Rosenfield has previously played on… Continue reading Emily Rosenfield tours with Hamilton (And Peggy) Company

Bruce Forman featured on cover of Jazz Guitar Today
Guitarist Bruce Forman, a faculty member in the Thornton Studio Guitar program, was the focus of a cover story in the latest issue of Jazz Guitar Today. In the feature, Forman speaks about his new album, Reunion!, the way that storytelling influences his music and how he developed the skill to hold a conversation and… Continue reading Bruce Forman featured on cover of Jazz Guitar Today