USC Thornton Studio Guitar Program

04/12/2025

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07/20/2022

Andrew Levin (BM '12) has toured with groups like the San Francisco Symphony, Fantastic Negrito, Third Eye Blind, Jody Watley, Kev Choice, and Jazz Mafia. In addition to touring, he works as a composer and audio designer for Ubisoft, also aiding in the development of their music education and performance game "Rocksmith+". . Andrew is an instructor of Sound Design at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

05/14/2022

Join us right now for the:

2022 International Virtual Collegiate Guitar Ensemble Festival
https://www.facebook.com/2022-International-Virtual...

05/10/2022

Dale Turner is the author of 50+ instructional books and transcription folios (his latest being Power Plucking – A Rocker’s Guide to Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar). In addition to writing a monthly acoustic guitar column for Guitar World magazine, he's a founding contributor to the "Lick of the Day" app for iPhone/iPad. Dale is an in-demand instructor at Musician's Institute. Guitarist Mateus Asato spoke extensively about the significant influence one of Dale’s classes had on him during his studies at Musicians Institute in an interview with Rick Beato.

04/11/2022

Michael Gordon (BM '19) is a producer and artist more commonly known under the stage name "Mk.Gee". Mk.Gee has released three albums, "Pronounced McGee", and "Fool" released in 2018, and "A Museum of Contradiction" released in 2020. Mk.Gee has lent production to several projects, most notably Drake's most recent album "Certified Lover Boy" as well as the artist Dijon's debut album.

03/08/2022

Rick Schmunk is Chair of USC Thornton's Music Technology program and founder of the Music Production program where he teaches courses in recording, production, and popular music arranging. An active researcher and presenter, Rick has been featured at the Association for Technology in Music Instruction, the College Music Society, the International Society for Music Education, the Jazz Educators Network, and the Technology for Music Education conferences. He is also the author of several popular linkedlearning.com courses, with topics ranging from Ableton Live Essentials to music notation and synthesis. Dr. Schmunk earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Studio Guitar in 2006.

02/02/2022

Today our community lost our beloved Joe Diorio. As a mentor and teacher, and friend to many, he left an indelible mark on all of us who had the good fortune to spend time with him.

01/12/2022

Dylan Caligiuri (DMA '19) has spent time performing across the United States as well as internationally in 39 countries with acts like Sia, Don Rickles, and Brett Michaels. Currently, he's become an in-demand mastering engineer as a part of LA SOUND LAB. Dylan lent talents and expertise to Fender's revolutionary learning platform Fender Play, developing curriculum as well as being a part of the on-screen instruction. Dylan also regularly hosts Fender Play Live, a live Facebook event for Fender Play's subscribers.

12/01/2021

Mason Sacks ('18) is a Grammy nominated guitarist and producer. Mason has 40+ major label releases, and has worked with artists such as Neyo, Kid Laroi, Lil Nas X, Iann Dior, Joey Bada$$, and has produced alongside Rodney Jerkins, Louis Bell, and Ali Tamposi. Recent production credits have included 'the highs' by mike., which reached #52 on Billboard Hot 100 as well as #1 on Spotify US Debuts, as well as Masego's 'Extended Stay' album which recieved a 2021 Grammy Nomination. Mason has had syncs that have played during the 2021 Olympics, and the season finale of the TV show Empire on Fox. Mason is managed by Electric Feel Mgmt and signed to Sony ATV Publishing.

11/05/2021

Emily Rosenfield has landed music on Freeform and Disney Channel, all while playing live with artists like Dylan Conrique, Raveena, Melody Federer, and Brooklyn & Bailey. Recently, she collaborated with songwriter Payson Lewis, arranging and co-producing an EP for vocals, guitar, and string quartet. Emily has also contributed her guitar playing to Pixar's Luca, Rent: Live on FOX, TV's Good Trouble (Freeform), Wake Up by Fat Tony (Carpark Records), Darren Criss's Royalties (Quibi), and Tan Weiwei: Live at EastWest. In addition to her televised performances, she's also plays with For The Record Live's Tarantino show, one-off concert productions, and annual productions of Love Actually Live. Currently, Emily is the guitarist with Hamilton the Musical.

10/22/2021

Ian Robbins graduated from USC with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar. He has had airplay on KJAZ 88.1FM and other national jazz stations as a member of the Bruce Escovitz Jazz Orchestra (BEJO). He recorded on BEJO’s 2008 Album Invitation. Invitation spent several weeks in the top half of the Billboard Jazz charts. Lately, Ian has performed with Landau Eugene Murphy Jr.- The winner of NBC’s America’s Got Talent Season 6. Ian has previously performed/recorded with Barry Manilow, Bonnie Raitt, Wynton Marsalis, Peter Erskine, Toni Tennille, Louis Bellson, Ndugu Chancellor, Stu Hamm, Kurt Elling, Ernie Watts, Marilyn McCoo, Alan Chang, Scott Henderson, and many others. Ian has also done session work for Grammy-winning producer Bobby Watson and for Nickelodeon Studios. Ian is currently on the faculty at Musician’s Institute as part of the Bachelor Degree Program. He is also the lead guitarist/singer/songwriter of original punk rock band Get Out™. Get Out™ has released 6 albums and numerous singles.