USC Thornton Popular Music Senior Showcase at the Troubadour!

The first graduating class of the Thornton Popular Music Program at the University of Southern California put on an AMAZING show last night at the Troubadour in West Hollywood. These musicians are insanely talented and simply wonderful people as well. The featured seniors were:

Will Baldocchi

Nick Campbell

Leland Cox

Rozzi Crane

Annie Dingwall

Suemy Gonzalez

Barry Harris

Bryan Jarett

Peter Johnson

Lara Johnston

Justin Klunk

Megg Mahowald

Mia Minichiello

Matias Mora

Rob Nagelhout

AJ Peacox

Eric Radloff

Logan Shrewsbury

Christian Stranne

Luke Walton

Sam Wilkes

And bands:

Bear Attack!

Exist Elsewhere

Mora Mora

Party for One

& more

Here's just a few shots from the night. 

Exist Elsewhere.

Luke Walton rocks out.

Justin Klunk solos with Barry Harris and the Euphoria.

Justin Klunk.

The crowd loves Luke Walton.

Annie Dingwall.

Rozzi Crane.

Lara Johnston.

Megg Mahowld with Party for One

AJ Peacox.

Mora Mora.

Between sets, the parent's club announced a Chris Sampson Popular Music Scholarship. What an amazing gift in honor Chris, who leads the program.

The night closed with an onstage celebration. Congratulations to the entire Senior class!

Photographically yours,

Kylie

Alex Flagstad in Black & White- Los Angeles Musician Portrait Photographer

I had a photo session with the talented Alex Flagstad this past week. Though we shot in color, I loved how these images looked in Black & White.

Stay tuned for more images, perhaps some in color!

Photographically yours,

Kylie

Lee Skylar @ USC

Lee Skylar is perhaps the most recorded and toured bassist of all time. He came to visit the USC Thornton Popular Music Program at Pop Forum on a Friday in January. As some of you know, I photograph for the Pop Program and love capturing the moments between the students and industry professionals they bring in.

As my friend Brett wrote on the USC Thornton Pop Blog, "Lee Skylar was Flippin' Awesome!"

Photographically yours,

Kylie

Young Guru @ USC

Hello lovely readers!

As some of you may know, I photograph for the Thornton Popular Music Program. Every Friday an industry professional comes to speak to the Popular Music students. Last Friday, I had the pleasure of photographing Young Guru speak to the students.

There are certain guests that I can't help but feel inspired from-- and Young Guru was one of them. Wise beyond his years, Young Guru related his story of growing up, building his own engineering equipment, and working hard to make his dreams come true. He spoke candidly about his experiences in the business and with other people. Some of his wisdom:

It's not a conceited thing; my mother raised me to believe that I can do anything I set my mind to. I don't care how long it takes-- if I decide I want to do something I will work to learn until I know how to do it. I could spend four years studying how to build a rocket, but I would eventually build one. 

"The worst thing to do is become popular or famous without being the real you-- because then you just have to keep up the lie"

"It's all about the emotion once you get the technique; the emotion you evoke in your audience"

"Life already started. Don't wait until you get out of college to do what you want to do- do it now."

Young Guru was so humble, exuding such wisdom, bowing as the audience erupted in applause at the end.

Staying humble, Young exclaimed "I have to get a picture with Patrice Rushen!!" or else his mom would be angry with him. Such an honor to be in the presence of both Young and Patrice!

This one's my favorite-- such candid joy! :)

I love my job.

Photographically yours,

Kylie