Colburn School

The Colburn School is a performing arts school with a focus on music and dance located in downtown Los Angeles adjacent to the Museum of Contemporary Art and across the street from the Walt Disney Concert Hall. It is informally referred to as Colburn. It consists of four divisions: the Conservatory of Music, the Music Academy, Community School of Performing Arts, and Dance Academy.

History

The school was originally established in 1950 as a preparatory arm of the USC Thornton School of Music, and was located across the street from the Shrine Auditorium, in a warehouse that had been converted into extra USC practice rooms, rehearsal halls, and dance studios. It later broadened its mission and changed its name to the Community School of Performing Arts. In 1980, it finalized its split with USC and branched out on its own. In 1985, the school received a significant endowment from Richard D. Colburn, and it was renamed in his honor.^[1] It moved from its original location near the USC campus to its current location in 1998.^[2]

Programs

The Conservatory of Music was established in 2003 and offers a Bachelor of Music degree, a Master of Music degree, a Performance Diploma, an Artist's Diploma, and a Professional Studies Certificate to students. The Conservatory offers full scholarship, housing, and stipends to all of its students.

The Music Academy was established in 2010, and offers a comprehensive curriculum of courses, which include music theory, ear training, voice and a vigorous chamber music program for gifted young musicians. The Dean of the Academy is Ory Shihor. ^[3]

The School of Performing Arts has open enrollment and serves children in the community through age 18.

In 2014, Colburn launched a Dance Academy for pre-professional ballet dancers ages 14-19 under the direction of former New York City Ballet principal dancers Jenifer Ringer and James Fayette, with artistic advisor Benjamin Millepied. ^[4]

Admission

In an unidentified year, 500 applicants applied to the Colburn School's Conservatory of Music and 26 were accepted for a 5% acceptance rate.^[5] Approximately 110 students attend the Conservatory of Music, and more than 1,500 students are enrolled in classes at the Community School of Performing Arts.^[6]

Facilities and architecture

The school's main building was designed by the architectural firm Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates and includes the Lloyd Wright designed studio of Jascha Heifetz, which was originally situated in Heifetz's backyard, and was saved from demolition and rebuilt on the second floor of the school's Grand Avenue building.^[7]

Also located in the building is Zipper Hall, a concert venue that hosts professional as well as student performances throughout the year. The Los Angeles Philharmonic and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra have both performed chamber music concerts in the facility.

The Conservatory expansion was designed by Pfeiffer Partners Architects (after Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates became three separate firms in 2004).

Notable faculty

• Martin Beaver, chamber music and violin
• Fabio Bidini, piano
• Clive Greensmith, chamber music and cello
• Ory Shihor, piano
• Robert Lipsett, violin
• Arnold Steinhardt, violin
• Paul Coletti, viola
• Ronald Leonard, cello
• JoAnn Turovsky, harp
• Allan Vogel, oboe
• Jim Walker, flute
• Yehuda Gilad, clarinet
• Mark Lawrence, trombone
• Norman Pearson, tuba

Notable alumni

• David Fung (classical pianist)
• Eric Reed (jazz pianist)
• Leila Josefowicz (solo violinist)
• Tamaki Kawakubo (solo violinist)
• Anne Akiko Meyers (solo violinist)

External links

• Official site
• Description of the school's building by the company that designed its lighting

References

Coordinates: 34°3′15″N 118°14′59″W / 34.05417°N 118.24972°W / 34.05417; -118.24972