conservatory of music
a message from the dean
It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Colburn School and to thank you for your interest in the Colburn Conservatory of Music.
As you continue on your path to a life in music, your choice of school for advanced training is a critical component in your journey. Faculty, performance opportunities, the surrounding arts community, alumni success, peers who become your collaborators and lifelong colleagues—all of these different elements create the ideal atmosphere for developing your craft to the highest level.
One of the most unique characteristics of the Colburn Conservatory is the financial support provided to every student. All of our students receive full scholarships for tuition, grants for the Colburn Residence Hall, and a meal plan in the Colburn Café. We all know the common saying “time is money.” At Colburn, money is time. Without the financial burdens of paying tuition or taking out loans, students have the freedom to focus fully on their studies. This extraordinary gift of time allows for an incredible capacity to achieve at the highest level, to fully recognize the potential for artistry, craft, and communication in every student.
Enjoy exploring and learning more about the Conservatory! I hope to see you at a performance or receive your application for admission.
Warmly,
Lee Cioppa dean, conservatory of music
conservatory of music
the colburn conservatory of music opened in 2003 with one goal: to train the very highest level of classical instrumental performers for careers in the 21st century. All students accepted into the Conservatory receive full scholarship support so that they can focus on their craft without financial burden. With world-renowned faculty, outstanding performance opportunities, and unparalleled financial support, the Colburn Conservatory gives young musicians unrivaled opportunity to develop their art.
Alumni Appointments Include:
Atlanta Symphony
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Houston Symphony
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Jacksonville Symphony
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Milwaukee Symphony
Minnesota Orchestra
Munich Radio Orchestra
Nashville Symphony
National Symphony Orchestra
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
New York Philharmonic
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Orchestre de Chambre de Lausanne
Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal
Pacific Symphony
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Student and Alumni Competition Prizes Include:
ARD Munich International Competition
Avery Fisher Prize
Banff International Quartet Competition
Concert Artist Guild
Ferrusccio Busoni 64th International Piano Competition
Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition
Ima Hogg Competition
International Beethoven Piano Competition
International Piano Competition
Irving M. Klein Competition
Jacques Lancelot International Clarinet Competition
M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition
Richmond Symphony
San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco Symphony
Seattle Symphony
Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
St. Paul Chamber Orchestra
"Pershing's Own" —
United States Army Band
“The President’s Own”—
United States Marine Band
US Air Force, Band of the Golden West
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Montreal International Competition
National Flute Association, Young Artist Competition
Naumburg international Competition
New York Concert Artists Competition
Prague Spring International Music Competition
Queen Elisabeth International Violin Competition
Sphinx Competition
Stulberg Competition
Tchaikovsky International Competition
Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition
Young Concert Artists
faculty
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Conducting faculty, leads the Colburn Orchestra
with only 130 students, the colburn experience offers extensive faculty interaction.
Every faculty member has a roster of successful alumni, and as professional musicians themselves, they have a deep understanding of what it takes to thrive in and out of the Conservatory.
Performance Faculty
Ted Atkatz, Percussion and Colburn
Contemporary Ensemble Director
Andrew Bain, Horn
Margaret Batjer, Violin
Martin Beaver, Violin
Richard Beene, Bassoon
Fabio Bidini, Carol Colburn Grigor Piano Chair
Jonathan William Brown, Chamber Music
Yehuda Gilad, Clarinet and Music Director
Clive Greensmith, Cello
Eugene Izotov, Oboe
Academic Faculty
Our academic faculty includes noted music and humanities scholars, pedagogues, and composers.
Robert Lipsett, Jascha Heifetz Distinguished Violin Chair
Peter Lloyd, Double Bass
Tatjana Masurenko, Viola
Demarre McGill, Flute, Interim
Ian Pritchard, Colburn Baroque Ensemble Director
David Rejano Cantero, Trombone
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Maestro Ernst H. Katz Chair of Conducting Studies, Negaunee Conducting Program
Aaron Tindall, Tuba
JoAnn Turovsky, Harp
James Wilt, Trumpet
Department Chair
Jordan Nelson, DMA, Theory and Aural Skills
Ian Pritchard, PhD, Music History and Literature, Interim
performance opportunities
Colburn Chamber Music Society guest artist Emanuel Ax performs with with former Chamber Ensemble-in-Residence, the Viano String Quartet
colburn students work
side-by-side with world-renowned musicians.
Students learn from masters of their craft in performances and master classes, and participate in mock auditions with prominent conductors.
Conductors
Lionel Bringuier
James Conlon
Roderick Cox
Sir Andrew Davis
Stéphane Denève
Guest Artists
Andy Akiho, Percussion
Emanuel Ax, Piano
Denis Bouriakov, Flute
Calidore Quartet
Robert Chen, Violin
Marc Coppey, Cello
Gustavo Dudamel
Miguel Harth-Bedoya
Simone Menezes
Ludovic Morlot
Peter Oundjian
Jennifer Grim, Flute
Augustin Hadelich, Violin
Tine Thing Helseth, Trumpet
Tessa Lark, Violin
Jon Kimura Parker, Piano
LA Philharmonic Brass
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Artist-in-Residence
Carlos Miguel Prieto
Ruth Reinhardt
Jeannette Sorrell
Michael Tilson Thomas
Xian Zhang
Demarre McGill, Flute
Nokuthula Ngwenyama, Viola
Menahem Pressler, Piano
San Francisco Symphony Brass
Orli Shaham, Piano
Tokyo Quartet
7 past visiting artists
Since 2014, Jean-Yves Thibaudet has served as artist-in-residence at Colburn, working with students in all units.
a key aspect of the conservatory experience is providing students with ample performance opportunities. students have myriad ways to perform while attending colburn.
The Colburn Orchestra performing in Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Colburn Orchestra
Participation in orchestra is one of the central elements of the programs at the Colburn Conservatory. Concerts are held in halls around the LA area, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the Soraya. Each concert features a student concerto soloist, including the winner of the annual Concerto Competition.
Colburn Chamber Music Society
Students receive an in-depth and professional chamber experience performing on Colburn’s chamber series with renowned guest artists.
Performance Forum
Performance Forum is an opportunity for Conservatory students to perform for their peers and teachers, as well as the Colburn community at large, and takes place on a weekly basis.
Chamber Forum
Chamber Forum features Conservatory students performing works for small ensembles. Participation in chamber music is one of the central elements of the programs in the Conservatory of Music and develops skills of listening and collaboration, as well as an appreciation for the challenges of melding unique individuals into a cohesive group.
Contemporary Ensemble
This ensemble is open to all students who wish to study and perform music of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
Baroque Ensemble
This ensemble is dedicated to the performance of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century music. Although the ensemble plays on modern instruments, it is geared towards developing an awareness of and sensitivity to the nuances of historically informed performance practices.
Community Engagement Performances
Conservatory students have extensive paid and unpaid opportunities to perform in the Los Angeles community each academic year. Opportunities range from Center for Innovation and Community Impact curated experiences in retirement homes, hospitals, and homeless shelters to paid gig requests from the community.
Opus 3 artists Simone Porter and Blake Pouliot, alumni of the Colburn Artists program
professional development
The Center for Innovation and Community Impact provides Conservatory students with career development training which encompasses career advising, individualized support in creating professional materials, and a robust personal development curriculum including modules on managing finance for creative careers.
colburn artists
Colburn Artists, a unique in-house professional management program, prepares select students to work with industry leaders and artist managers. In this supportive atmosphere which is linked closely with a student’s individual performance studies, each student receives personalized career advice and training. This includes guidance on building relationships with presenters, orchestras, and professional musicians; developing repertoire; interview preparation; and creating a professional image and online presence.
teaching opportunities
Conservatory students gain valuable experience and give back to the LA community through teaching. Students sophomore level and above have access to teacher training coursework and pedagogical opportunities including the Teaching Fellows program funded by the Max H. Gluck Foundation. Teaching Fellows engage with students in the Jumpstart program and also with our partner Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles.
our commitment to access
The Colburn School is dedicated to providing equitable access to excellence in performing arts education. Our programs are designed to identify dedicated students at all levels who face structural inequities that create barriers to quality arts education and to support them with the resources of the institution for as long as they wish to study. We seek to recruit, train, and empower the next generation of artists who will use their gifts to enact meaningful change in the world. We believe these deep commitments will result in a stronger, more diverse artistic workforce and creative society.
programs of study
bachelor of music
A four-year undergraduate degree program focusing on the development of highly skilled performing musicians, with a complete performance curriculum as well as supporting coursework in music theory, aural skills, music history, and the humanities.
performance diploma
A four-year curriculum designed for the student who has not completed a bachelor’s degree, but whose musical activities require more flexibility than the Bachelor of Music program. This program also supports students who need extra time to solidify their English language skills prior to enrolling in the Bachelor of Music program.
conducting diploma
A three-year program designed for highly skilled young conductors who have not yet completed a baccalaureate degree.
master of music
A two-year postbaccalaureate degree program that includes the complete range of performance requirements as well as supporting music history and music theory coursework.
artist diploma
A two- to four-year post-baccalaureate program for the developing artist, with a focus on repertoire development and recital preparation.
To learn more about the Conservatory of Music, please visit colburnschool.edu/conservatory and for information or inquiries about admissions, please email admissions@colburnschool.edu.
A flexible two-year program emphasizing professional activities outside the school, designed for students who seek a period of intensive training in their applied area of study in preparation for entering the profession. professional studies certificate
eduction without debt
all students accepted to the colburn conservatory receive full scholarships and grants for tuition, room, and board.
Students have the freedom to focus fully on their studies and graduate debt-free, ready to embark on professional careers.
The Colburn residence hall, with scenic views of downtown Los Angeles and surrounding areas, includes fully furnished two-, three-, and four-bedroom suites. Each residential floor houses up to 25 students and a resident advisor. The Colburn Café serves a variety of cuisines using fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients and features a coffee bar.
The approximate value of scholarships and grants covering tuition, room, and board:
Tuition Scholarship: $60,00
Room Grant: $14,000
Board Grant: $7,300
Total Award: $81,300
With the bulk of the financial responsibility covered by Colburn scholarships, students pay a yearly comprehensive fee and must have adequate health insurance, either on their family’s plan or by enrolling in Colburn’s health insurance plan. Additional financial aid is available for students who need assistance covering these costs.
health and wellness
The Colburn School recognizes the importance of health and wellness for artists and provides information and services regarding the maintenance of professional health and the prevention of performance injuries. Students receive education and support through the following services provided by the Wellness Team: The Healthy Musician seminar; a licensed nurse on campus; and access to two psychotherapists, a licensed physical therapist, a licensed massage therapist, as well as additional wellness programs.
a world-class campus in downtown los angeles
situated in the heart of the cultural center of los angeles,
the Colburn School not only provides access to excellence in both music and dance instruction, but access to some of the best venues, art installations, and dining experiences in the country. With so much in close proximity, there’s a wealth of opportunity to discover and explore.
Downtown boasts a walkability score of 97*, the highest in Los Angeles. With an average of 34 restaurants and cafés within a 5-minute walk, you are bound to discover some new favorites. You can explore the Grand Central Market, Little Tokyo, or visit over 60 art galleries in the area, including The Broad and the Museum of Contemporary Art on the same block as Colburn. If you’re looking to experience performances, walk across the street from campus to the Music Center to enjoy the Walt Disney Concert Hall (home of the LA Phil) and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (home to the LA Opera). Find historical landmarks and architectural gems such as the Central Library with its Egyptian design influences and the Bradbury Building with its skylit atrium, both within walking distance.
If you’re seeking some outdoor adventures, Los Angeles provides access to beaches, hiking trails, skiing, and more. With so much to see and experience, come join us in downtown Los Angeles. You bring the passion. Together, we'll build your future.
*Source: Walkscore
a new home for music and dance
the colburn center
A transformational new addition to Colburn is now under construction. Designed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, and born out of our aspiration to serve both the community and the School, the Colburn Center will add magnificent new spaces for performance and learning to the Colburn campus.
The Colburn Center will fulfill the long-held dream of a large venue for orchestra, dance, opera, and more. When complete, it will create the largest concentration of cultural buildings by Frank Gehry found anywhere in the world.
Design Team
Frank O. Gehry, the world-renowned founder and principal of Gehry Partners, leads an all-star, all-LA design team.
Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics, the acoustician for Walt Disney Concert Hall, Conrad Prebys Hall, La Seine Musicale, Elbphilharmonie, Ann and Jerry Moss Theater, Mariinsky Concert Hall, Suntory Hall, and many more.
Michael Ferguson of TheatreDNA, who, as a member of Theatre Projects, consulted on the New World Center in Miami, Theater for a New Audience in Brooklyn, Musco Center for the Arts, Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica, and many more.
Fred Vogler, Grammy award-winning sound engineer for the Hollywood Bowl, LA Opera, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, numerous Hollywood films, and consultant on concert halls and university facilities around the world.
The School's new Colburn Center is a state-of-the-art performance venue to welcome artists, organizations, and audiences who have historically not had access to such spaces. The Center will include:
0 Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall, a 1,000-seat concert hall in the round with a full-size stage and 70-musician orchestral pit. Kohl Hall will become the permanent home of the Colburn Orchestra, the flagship ensemble of the Conservatory of Music.
0 A sophisticated, convertible 100-seat dance studio theater where young dancers can propel themselves from practice through performance to a professional career.
0 Four oversized dance studios, one of which is a specialized tap studio, where students and artists can grow to their fullest potential.
0 A study center and artist lounge where dancers can place themselves in the context of history to embody the artistry of those who came before and to develop their own voice.
0 Garden spaces with performance areas at the ground level and atop the dance school’s studio theater. These gardens aim to contribute to downtown Los Angeles’s greening and will welcome students, parents, and visitors to gather and find respite in this outdoor environment.
Kohl Hall (pictured at left) will offer flexible configurations for full orchestra, opera, and musical theater performances of the grandest scales and largest orchestrations, as well as amplified options and a transformable stage floor for dance. Despite grand capabilities, it is designed to be a uniquely intimate experience for audiences, who will surround the artists with in-the-round seating and very close proximity to the stage edge during performances.
Photos: Courtney Paige Ray, Philip Pirolo, Jamie Tuss, Luis Luque, Jon McKee, Craig T. Mathew, Abby Mahler. Renderings courtesy of Frank O. Gehry and Gehry Partners, LLP.