student success

Awards and Competitions

Community School students receive top honors nationwide each year. Highlights from 2022 and 2023 include:

Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship and Edison Scholar

American Virtuoso International Music Competition, First Prize

Bellflower Symphony Young Artists’ Concerto Competition, Two Prizewinners

Coltman Chamber Music Competition, First Prize and Junior Division Grand Prize

CSUN Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition, First Prize

Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, Semi-Finalists

Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, First Prize

Hill Concerto Competition, First Prize

Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Competition, First Prize

Music Center Spotlight Awards, 16 Semi-Finalists and three Grand Prize Finalists

Music Teachers’ Association of California VOCE Competition, Four Prizewinners

YOLA Concerto Competition, First Prize

“I have experienced the dedication, drive, and passion of this community that inspires me and my art, as well as the friendliness and welcoming ambiance that places Colburn so deeply in my heart. I look forward to carrying Colburn and the arts with me through every stage of my life, as I embark on my next journey.”

Scarlett Chen (Community School ’22) alumni profile

Scarlett Chen, Herbert Zipper Scholar

A gifted Herbert Zipper Scholar pianist in the Community School, Scarlett Chen attended the 2022 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and headed to Vanderbilt University in fall 2022 to study violin performance.

Talented and dedicated music students who could not otherwise afford to attend the Colburn School, Herbert Zipper Scholars receive full-tuition scholarships for a custom curriculum to push them to new heights in their musicianship. They receive instruction in music theory, private lessons, and ensemble participation, among many other academic and performance opportunities.

Choral Programs

The Community School eagerly reinstated its choral programs this year after taking a break during the pandemic and welcomed Adrian Dunn as Director of Choral Programs. He leads the Children and Youth Choruses and the Colburn Concert Choir as well as teaching students ages 5–18, about musicianship, vocal technique, and ensemble skills.

The program’s renewed spirit was on display during each of the three performances scheduled this year. An Open Sing at the Winter Choral Concert welcomed singers from the community, the annual Collaboration Concert highlighted choirs along with orchestra and dance students at the Alex Theatre in Glendale, and the spring Choral Concert showcased students’ advancing skills learned throughout the year.

Adult Learning

The Community School offers programs for students of all ages, including adults. The Adult Jazz program, led by Liz Kinnon, emphasizes improvisation, creativity, and performance.

“ We have the opportunity to play on a regular basis with others who are intensely involved with upping their game, learning the essential tools, and creating arrangements on the fly. We share what we learn and witness one another’s growth over the semesters. Too many of us adults have put off our plans to either dust off that old instrument or commit to a structured way of improving our existing skills. Five years ago, I vowed to be able to improvise jazz solos—and it happened. And as the jazz standard says, ‘It Could Happen to You.’”

Alumni Spotlight

Evelyn Wang

Colburn’s students succeed in all walks of life, not just on stage. Community School alumna Evelyn Wang was nominated, confirmed, and sworn in as the director of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in 2022. She leads efforts to fund and develop earlystage energy research. Previously, Wang served as head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she became a leader in using nanotechnology for heat transfer as well as developing high-efficiency, clean energy, and clean water solutions.

Faculty Spotlight

Adrian Dunn, Director of Choral Programs

Adrian Dunn brings a rich background in multiple music genres and is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer. He has founded several organizations including the RIZE Orchestra and the Adrian Dunn Singers, and his work as a composer spotlights the influence of Black artists. During Black History Month this year, the School celebrated the release of Dunn’s Emancipation: Act 2 with a performance of a cappella spirituals and original compositions from the album.