The Jazz Department of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the USC Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California, are pleased to announce the signing of an institutional partnership agreement. The partnership includes ensemble exchanges, performance projects, masterclasses, staff exchanges, research and curriculum development.
To mark the start of this important partnership, drummer Peter Erskine (photo), Director of Drumset Studies, Professor of Practice at USC Thornton School of Music, gave a masterclass at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam on January 27th, 2018. Part of the partnership includes educator’s mobility of artists such as Vince Mendoza and Bob Mintzer.

West meets West
From March 12-18, both schools will join forces and present in Amsterdam an exceptional project: West Meets West. Students from both institutions will be part of a thematic programme including masterclasses, workshops, studio recordings and a concert. CvA educators and USC staff member, percussionist/drummer Aaron Serfaty will coach several ensembles consisting of CvA and USC students. The results of these workshops will be presented on March 16, 20.00h at the CvA.