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Robert Waller

Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing
Robert Waller
Email rwaller@email.usc.edu Office JEF 150 Office Phone (213) 740-0231

Biography

Robert Waller (he/him) is Director of the Writing Center and an Associate Professor (Teaching) in the Writing Program. Professor Waller received his bachelor’s degree from Duke University, where he studied oral history and music, and has a degree in creative writing from USC. Robert has over 20 years teaching experience with a particular focus on using writing as a tool to explore and reveal the creative process. At USC, he developed the popular Special Topics course, Writing for Visual and Performing Artists, that aims to help students articulate their own aesthetics and through this process expand their understanding both of writing and the meanings and purposes driving their work. In addition to his work at USC, Waller is the lead singer and a principal songwriter for the critically acclaimed country rock band, I See Hawks in L.A. The Hawks have produced ten albums, toured internationally, and had their songs appear in film and television, including Cobra Kai, Roswell, New Mexico, and True Blood. Waller has written, recorded, or performed with artists including Phoebe Bridgers, Lucinda Williams, Carla Olson, Eddie Mitchell, Jackson Browne, Justin Townes Earle, Tom Petty, Chris Hillman, John York, Gabe Witcher, Dave Alvin, Peter Case, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bernie Leadon and the Meat Puppets. Robert lives in Highland Park with his wife, three children, and two cats.

Education

  • M.A. Professional Writing, Univ. of Southern California, 5/2003
  • B.A. History, Duke University, 5/1994

  • Research, Teaching, Practice, and Clinical Appointments

    • Director, USC Writing Center , University of Southern California , 2023-2024
    • Associate Professor (Teaching) of Writing, University of Southern California, 2009-2010
    • Assistant Professor (teaching) of Writing, University of Southern California, 2008-2009
    • Senior Lecturer, The Writing Program, University of Southern California , 2006-2007
    • Lecturer, The Writing Program, University of Southern California , 2003-2004
    • Musical Recording, Recorded the eponymous CD “I See Hawks in L.A.” with I See Hawks in L.A. Released on Ethic Recordings. , 2001-2002
    • Music Recording, Recorded the CD “Grapevine” with band I See Hawks in L.A. Released on Western Seeds Records. , 2004-2005
    • Music Recording, Recorded the CD “California Country” with band I See Hawks in L.A. Released on Western Seeds Records. , 2005-2006
    • Music Recording, Recorded the CD “Hallowed Ground” with I See Hawks in L.A. Released on Big Book Records. , 2007-2008
    • Song Placement , I See Hawks in L.A. song “Hallowed Ground” appeared in Showtime’s “True Blood”., 2007-2008
    • Musical Recording, Released the Best of collection “Shoulda Been Gold” with my band I See Hawks in L.A. Released on Collector’s Choice Music’s American Beat imprint. , 2009-2010
    • Stage Play, The original stage play “The Age of Pornography” was produced by BAL Theatre Works in Los Angeles in February 2011. , 2010-2011
    • Music Recording, Released the CD “New Kind of Lonely” with I See Hawks in L.A. on Blue Rose Records, Germany, 2012-2013
    • Musical Recording , Recorded first solo album “Fancy Free” released on Western Seeds Records. , 2015-2016
    • Musical Recording , Recorded “Live and Never Learn” with I See Hawks in L.A. Released on Western Seeds Records. , 2016-2017
    • Musical Recording, Recorded “Hawks with Intentions” with I See Hawks in L.A. and The Good Intentions. Released on Western Seeds Records. , 2018-2019
    • Musical Recording, Recorded “On Our Way” with I See Hawks in L.A. Released on Western Seeds Records. , 2019-2020
    • Song Placement , I See Hawks in L.A. song “Highway Down” appeared in Netflix show “Cobra Kai”, 2020-2021
    • Song Placement , I See Hawks in L.A. song “Rosemead Boogie” appears on the CW Network show “Roswell New Mexico”. , 2020-2021
    • Instructional Coordinator Fellowship, 2002-2003
    • LA Weekly Best Country Artist , 2002-2003
    • Phi Kappa Phi, 2002-2003
    • Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation Grant Honoree, 2000-2001
    • USC Center for Excellence in Teaching – Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award, 2000-2001
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