The Series

Ears Wide Open presents four concerts per school year with the interests of university students and campus community members in mind through the use of non-traditional venues, thoughtful programming, and compelling interdisciplinary collaborations. The EWO team proudly combines a variety of majors and minors in Music Performance, Music Industry Studies, Jazz Studies, Finance, Marketing, Entertainment, Film, and Media Arts, all from undergraduate through DMA students. The team consists of an Artistic Director, Operations and House Manager, Financial Officer and Assistant Stage Manager, Marketing and Social Media Director and House Manager, Technical Director, and a Logistics Director and Stage Manager. The EWO team works closely with two faculty advisors, Dr. Jennifer-Parker Harley and Dr. Mike Harley, and the School of Music’s Dean Harding.

The series strives to promote the importance of live music and models innovation, empathy, inclusivity, and curiosity through the arts.

2026 Events

Thursday, March 5, 2026, 12-1 p.m.

The College Experiment(al Music) — Greene Street Stage (Across from Garnet Station & Campus Store)

Midterms got you down? Or are you looking for a change of pace during exam week? Come to the Greene Street Stage at noon on March 5th for an hour of experimental music by USC’s own The Collective.

Thursday, March 26, 2026, 6-7:30 p.m.

Two Left Feet Can Make a Right (with Carolina Ballroom) — Copenhaver Band Hall (326 Sumter Street— right next to University Village)

No Experience Required! Our friends from Carolina Ballroom will help us all learn some new moves. Bring a good attitude and your dance shoes to Copenhaver Band Hall on March 26th from 6-7:30 p.m.! (Dance partners are encouraged but not required.) Ears Wide Open and Carolina Ballroom invite you to an evening of dance and live music performed by musicians from the award-winning USC jazz studies program.

Sunday, April 19, 1-4 p.m.

Pre-Earth Day Bash —  W. Gordon Belser Arboretum (4080 Bloomwood Rd, Columbia, SC 29205)

Looking for a pre-Earth Day celebration? The Belser Arboretum will be blooming with the sounds of Commercial Music Ensembles on April 19, from 1-4 p.m. Join Ears Wide Open and musicians from USC’s fastest-growing academic program — Music Industry Studies — for an afternoon filled with music and surrounded by nature.

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Leadership

Elle Senn, Artistic Director

Austin Engelhardt, Tech Director

Shannon James, House and Operations Manager

Josh Anderson, Stage Manager

Eleni Nicholas, Social Media and Marketing

Brianna Hale, Tech and Operations Staff

Faculty Advisors

Jennifer Parker-Harley  

Mike Harley 

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