Raphael Saadiq to mentor students at USC Thornton School of Music

Raphael Saadiq is taking his musical talent to USC Thornton School of Music, where he’ll serve as the inaugural member of the Dean’s Creative Vanguard Program. The role requires him to mentor students through spring 2025, providing them with his expertise along the way.

He’ll specifically work with seniors in the Pop Performance program, helping them hone their songwriting and live performance skills, which will be broadcast in a showcase taking place March 9 in LA’s El Rey Theatre.

Select students will also be able to learn about the creative process and music production from Saadiq’s own Blakeslee Recording Studio.

“I was thrilled to hang out with the Thornton music students and the faculty members who so graciously makes [sic] this program work. I was surprised and somewhat nervous for a second; it took me back to my time as a student at YMP, the Young Musicians Program at the University of Berkeley, California,” says Saadiq in a statement. “The students at USC had great questions, well-thought-out, and clever; that’s all I needed to hear to get my wheels spinning.”

He continued, “The insights and experiences I’ve gathered could be beneficial as we share, grow, and inspire each other. Here’s to the great exchange of ideas and the bright future we’re building. I look forward to the next wave of great musicians and songwriters at USC.”

Tickets for the showcase on March 9 are available at music.usc.edu.

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