Diana Newman and Arnold Geis perform in New York Philharmonic’s U.S. premiere of Émigré
USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera alumni Diana Newman (‘12, MM ‘14) and Arnold Geis (MM ‘14) will be soloists in the New York Philharmonic’s U.S. premiere of Émigré, composed by Aaron Zigman. The performance takes place on Feb. 29–Mar. 1 at David Geffen Hall. Émigré is a musical drama of love and loss that… Continue reading Diana Newman and Arnold Geis perform in New York Philharmonic’s U.S. premiere of Émigré
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
Karen Parks performed in Wadada Leo Smith’s world premiere of “America Transformed”
Karen Parks, a USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera faculty member, performed in the world premiere of America Transformed by renowned trumpeter and composer Wadada Leo Smith. The premiere, in which Parks was a featured vocalist, took place September 8-11 at Brooklyn College’s Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts. Parks joined the… Continue reading Karen Parks performed in Wadada Leo Smith’s world premiere of “America Transformed”
Jasmin White wins 2023 Queen Sonja Singing Competition
Jasmin White (‘15), a USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera alum, won first prize at the Queen Sonja Singing Competition in Oslo, Norway on August 26. The competition began with 40 singers in the preliminary rounds and came down to six finalists. White earned €50,000 and artwork by H.M. Queen Sonja, who presented the awards… Continue reading Jasmin White wins 2023 Queen Sonja Singing Competition
Jasmin White wins second prize at 2023 Queen Elisabeth Competition
Jasmin White (’15), a USC Thornton Vocal Arts & Opera alum, won second prize for voice at the 2023 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels on June 3. The competition consisted of three rounds, after which 12 finalists were chosen and six won the top prizes. White earned €20.000 in addition to concert opportunities and a… Continue reading Jasmin White wins second prize at 2023 Queen Elisabeth Competition
2022-2023 Year in Review
Looking back on a remarkable year at USC Thornton.
Derrick Lawrence
Derrick Lawrence, baritone, has sung roles on the stages of Philadelphia Opera, Santa Fe Opera, Dallas Opera, Charlotte Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Piedmont Opera, Opera North, Zurich Opera House, Budapest, Wiesbaden, Düsseldorf, The Royal Danish Opera, Stuttgart, Luzern, Aachen, Freiburg, Statts Opera Berlin, Kaiserslautern, La Monnaie, Teatro Massimo, Opera Lyon and National Theater Brünn. Lawrence… Continue reading Derrick Lawrence
Karen Parks awarded with Most Distinguished Alumni by Furman University
USC Thornton vocal arts and opera faculty member Karen Parks received the Most Distinguished Alumni award from Furman University on Feb. 11 at the Bell Tower Ball, an annual gala event that celebrates alumni achievements. Parks, a Fulbright Scholar, Olivier Award nominee and Billboard chart-topper, was presented the award by Furman University’s president Dr. Elizabeth… Continue reading Karen Parks awarded with Most Distinguished Alumni by Furman University
Fall 2022 Semester in Review
Looking back on an amazing fall 2022 semester at USC Thornton.
Reyna Gordon leads scientific study of genetic link to musicality traits
USC Thornton Vocal Arts department alumna Reyna Gordon (BM ‘01) has led the first large-scale study that discovered how the ability to move in synchrony with the beat of music is coded in human genomes. Assembled by an international multidisciplinary team of experts and in collaboration with personal genetics company 23andMe, the study assessed beat… Continue reading Reyna Gordon leads scientific study of genetic link to musicality traits