Fall 2023
Featured Stories Faculty Excellence— Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow pages 4–5 Expanding the Cultural Corridor pages 6–9 Student and Alumni Accomplishments pages 10–14
Also in this Issue A Message from the President Happening Now
colburn society newsletter
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Friends, The end of the fall semester brings with it a multitude of performances where our students showcase their extraordinary development as young artists. It also offers an opportunity to reflect on the School’s progress and accomplishments over the last 12 months and to thank the many people who have contributed to its success. From our dedicated and nurturing faculty and our deeply committed staff, to our audiences and you, our generous donors, our entire community comes together to create an exceptional learning environment for our students. Your investment in the Colburn School ensures that committed and eager young musicians and dancers have access to an unparalleled faculty, individualized support, and performance opportunities in world-class facilities. Our Frank Gehry-designed campus expansion, scheduled to open in fall 2026, will increase these opportunities, offering visually and acoustically stunning spaces for performance and learning. With groundbreaking in reach, I am pleased to share a few details of the beautiful outdoor spaces incorporated in the project, as well as to announce two significant philanthropic commitments that will bring these gardens to life. Additional highlights in this newsletter include a spotlight on the 20th anniversary of our Conservatory of Music, and a few wonderful gifts in support of the Conservatory, its faculty, and the faculty across the entire School. Our graduates are among the leading orchestra and chamber musicians, soloists, and teachers internationally and go on to exciting careers outside of music and dance as well. On behalf of them, as well as our current students, faculty, and staff, I thank you for your continued enthusiasm and ongoing support! Sincerely,
Sel Kardan President and Chief Executive Officer
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faculty excellence Y E S T E R D A Y, T O D A Y, T O M O R R O W
Clarinet lessons with Yehuda Gilad Paul Siemion Photography
Ronald Leonard and cellist Born Lau rehearse in Zipper Hall
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s the Colburn Conservatory celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, we enjoy the opportunity to reflect back as well as to look forward. Our Conservatory’s brief history, building on that of the long history of the Community School, has been one of extraordinary success. Students have gone on to great achievements around the world, due not only to their dedication and talent, but the expert guidance of our exceptional faculty.
Joe Thayer, Toby Mayman, and Robert Lipsett visit Colburn’s Grand Avenue building site
Colburn’s commitment to finding and retaining the best-of-the-best educators has always been a priority. Having an accomplished faculty who are recognized teachers as well as professional performers provides unique perspective, inspiration, and motivation to the students. Over the past 20 years, hundreds of students have come to the Conservatory to study and perform and, eventually, to cross the Zipper Hall stage with a degree or certificate in their hand. No student would have achieved this were it not for the passionate faculty of which the School is so proud.
In 2003, a group of visionary, pioneering artisteducators saw the potential for the Conservatory of Music to become a hub of artistic excellence, like that of the Community School. Yehuda Gilad, Robert Lipsett, and Ronald Leonard worked tirelessly with Joseph Thayer and Richard D. Colburn to create a model that nurtures the talents of the next generation of artists and provides them with comprehensive support for their endeavors. This is the foundation upon which the Conservatory has thrived. Their influence continues to shape Colburn and the community at large, providing a model of excellence, with the student experience at the forefront in everything we do.
Inspired and impressed by the tenet of faculty excellence, Colburn community member Richard Fiock made a remarkable $6 million commitment this fall to establish the Fiock Family Fund for Excellence. A lifelong music appreciator, though not a musician himself, Rich has enjoyed Colburn performances over the past few years. Increasingly awed by what he saw and heard, he decided he wanted to help the greatest possible number of students. Rich instinctually understood that faculty are the behind-the-scenes heroes and champions and,
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moreover, that outstanding faculty attract and develop the brilliant players. This endowment fund will enhance Colburn’s ability to attract and retain faculty in perpetuity. Rich believes that the future is bright for Colburn—for the faculty, the students, and the entire Colburn community.
Angeles music, artists, and audiences globally. This family’s gift helps ensure his legacy is celebrated through continued music excellence at Colburn. Both of these gifts follow the leadership of the Colburn Foundation, which endowed the Conservatory's viola chair this past year. On the occasion of welcoming world-renowned violist Tatjana Masurenko this past school year to the faculty, this chair was underwritten to honor the founding legacy of Richard D. Colburn, as well as inspire new supporters like the Greene family and the Fiock family to celebrate the importance of dedicated, selfless, and talented faculty. Much like the faculty of Colburn, these donors demonstrate an awe-inspiring commitment to our students by helping ensure that they have access to the finest music educators now and forever. Their investment in Colburn is a testament to the excellence of the faculty in all units of the School that has been and will continue to be our extraordinary hallmark.
Rich joins our wonderful community of donors who have made recent capital and endowment gifts for our Building Our Future Campaign. This campaign will not only fund the new Colburn Center, but will provide additional foundational support for the core activities of the School— strengthening the positive influence the School has on the next generation of artists and the field of classical performance. Positive influence on the field is also the focus of a recent gift from the T. Robert Greene Foundation, which has generously endowed the conducting chair of The Negaunee Conducting Program. This position, currently held by Esa-Pekka Salonen, will be known as the Maestro Ernst H. Katz Chair of Conducting Studies. Founder and conductor of the Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Orchestra, Maestro Katz led the orchestra for 72 years, from 1937 to 2009. Following his motto of "Give Youth A Chance to be Heard," he touched the lives of thousands of young people from diverse social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. Celebrated by U.S. presidents, Hollywood legends, and of course the musical field, Maestro Katz left an indelible mark on Los
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Maestro Ernst H. Katz Chair of Conducting Studies
To learn more about supporting the Fiock Family Fund for Excellence, or to learn about other opportunities in the Building Our Future Campaign, please contact Amy Bryan, Philanthropy Officer at abryan@colburnschool.edu or visit colburnschool.edu/support.
Tatjana Masurenko, Conservatory Viola Chair, welcomes her second year at Colburn
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ethexcultural pa ncorridor di n g
The Colburn School campus expansion, opening in 2026, Frank Gehry, architect; Yasuhisa Toyota, acoustician
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he Colburn Center is a new, highly anticipated performing arts facility designed specially for both our current Colburn community, and our Southern California arts community at large. Dubbed the “crown jewel” of the project, the 1,000-seat Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall addresses the need for a sophisticated mid-size concert hall accessible to both large and small arts organizations in the region, while the ethereal glass-enclosed dance school adds versatile performance space, rehearsal studios, dressing rooms, and more for performers across Los Angeles.
and the cultural center he designed for the Los Angeles River in South Gate.
“The Colburn School is an incredibly important asset to the cultural district of downtown Los Angeles. Their new hall is a major blessing for the music world of this city, and I am honored to be a part of it. I hope that we have helped create a setting to nurture and grow the next generations of talent.” —Frank O. Gehry, Founder and Architect, Gehry Partners, LLP
The Center is a personal aspiration for Frank Gehry, who has devoted a significant portion of his career to projects in the arts. According to the Los Angeles Times, Gehry wanted to “get down to the basics of what a concert hall should be in serving the needs of music, society, and the city.” This has become a recurring theme in his late career, as evidenced by his work on the Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen YOLA Center in Inglewood, Frank Gehry and Colburn President and CEO Sel Kardan
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From left: Rendering of interior studio theater, rendering of Trudl Zipper Dance Institute exterior
Rendering of the interior of Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall
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Image credit?
Rendering of the Choi Family Garden
As we begin to see groundbreaking in the horizon, we are proud to announce two critical philanthropic gifts to support the two prominent green spaces in the project plans. Colburn is honored to name our glorious 7,000 square foot rooftop garden the Mullin Family Garden of Thoughts and Dreams in honor of Peter and Merle Mullin’s transformative commitment to the project. In another perfect pairing, an inspiring gift from board member
Henry Choi and his family celebrates a vibrant and welcoming Hill Street garden, named the Choi Family Garden. With immense gratitude to the Mullin and Choi families, as well as the other remarkable early supporters of this project who have donated $310 million of our $400 million campaign goal, we have made tremendous strides and are eager to welcome additional supporters to this extraordinary community of philanthropists.
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DID YOU KNOW? The Colburn Center’s green spaces meet and exceed municipal and ecological codes and best practices, such as:
“It is our family’s hope that this garden serves not only as a sanctuary within the city, but also as an intimate invitation into the life of an artist. A bridge between the School and our community, the garden will allow visitors a look through the campus’s glass walls to see hard work, dedication, and excellence on full display everyday.”
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Surpass by nearly 50% the Bunker Hill public pedestrian plaza requirements with over 7,000 square feet of public performance-ready space where students of all ages, faculty, parents, visitors, and community members may gather, rehearse, converse, and relax as well as enjoy small performances. While there are other public gardens on private land in downtown Los Angeles, few are as accessible or as active.
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Harness a robust underground storm water retention system that will allow storm water to be filtered and reused as irrigation in the landscaping of the Choi Family Garden and adjacent sidewalk landscaping, as well as the Mullin Family Garden of Thoughts and Dreams.
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Contribute dozens of oxygen-emitting and carbon-neutralizing mature trees and plantings that will increase the area of the Los Angeles Urban Forest. The landscape architect, OLIN, has specified a unique variety of drought resistant plants and trees. The orientation of the garden in relation to daily shading will be a unique and attractive gathering place for the neighborhood.
To learn more about being a part of the Colburn School’s Building Our Future Campaign, please contact Annie Wickert, Senior Vice President of Philanthropy at awickert@colburnschool.edu or call 213-621-1032.
—Henry Choi, Philanthropist and Colburn Trustee
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STUDENT AND ALUMNI ACCOMPLISHMENTS We invite you to join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our students and alumni as they traverse their performing arts journeys. It is your support that enables us to continue providing exceptional educational experiences for such dedicated and talented individuals. Please enjoy reading the accolade highlights below. community school
Pianist Landon Fringer received first prize in the Palisades Symphony Young Artist Competition, and he was one of six finalists to perform during the 2023 MostArts Festival in Alfred, New York, during the final round of the Young Pianist Competition.
The Nth Trio—Holly Lacey, violin, Nathaniel Yue, cello, and Tiger Zhang, piano—received the Horszowski Trio Prize for Piano Trio of the 50th Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. The Evie Quartet—Amy Lee, violin, Samuel Tatsuki, viola, Kailey Yun, violin, and Sam Guevara, cello—received third prize in the Junior String Division of the 50th Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
Violinists Liam Thomas and Luke David Thomas received first prize in the 2023 Great Composers Competition, The Music of the 19th Century. Violinist Allen Wang and cellist Ryan Yang received first prize in the 2023 CalASTA Los Angeles Bowed Strings Competition (Novice Category).
Pianist Raymond Cai received third prize and pianists Kai Canton, Caden Guo, and Rivenka Tomasian received honorable mentions in the California Association for Professional Music Teachers Romantic/Impressionistic Competition.
Violinist Gavin Yang received first prize in the Music Teachers’ Association of California Glendale Concerto Competition and performed with orchestra in May. Harpist Mia Safdie was a finalist in the American Harp Society National Competition.
Pianist Alani Gibson received first prize and a scholarship in the junior division of the Nina Simone Piano Competition. Pianists Kento Ishikawa and Leyna Ishikawa received first prize and pianists Isaac Fujikawa and Richard Liu received honorable mentions in the California Association for Professional Music Teachers Sonata/Sonatina Competition. Violinist Yena Oh won the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition. Pianists Kai Canton, Rivenka Tomasian, and Elysian Kloepfer were prizewinners in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival.
Nth Trio—Holly Lacey (violin), Nathaniel Yue (cello), and Tiger Zhang (piano)
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Pictured from left: Shengyu Meng, Molly Turner
conservatory of music
Cellist Shengyu Meng was the grand prize winner of the 2023 Hennings-Fischer Young Artist Competition and will perform the Elgar Concerto with the Burbank Philharmonic.
Conductor Ross Jamie Collins was named a Dudamel Fellow by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and appointed Conductor-in-Residence for the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. He also signed with the prestigious artist management firm of HarrisonParrott.
Clarinetist Javier Morales-Martinez won first prize at the Fine Arts Club of Pasadena. Cellists Ye Un Park, Michael Song (’23), and Benett Tsai advanced to the final round of the International Paulo Cello Competition in Finland.
Violinist Ray Ushikubo won third prize at the 38th Irving M. Klein International String Competition. Cellist Mei Hotta and violist Zechariah Mo were semifinalists. Trio Azura—Yanfeng (Tony) Bai (’23), piano, Duncan McDougall, violin, Ye Un Park, cello—and Trio Tokava—Nadia Azzi (’23), piano, Zi Yang Low, violin, Eugene Lin (’23), cello—advanced to the live rounds of the ARD International Music Competition in the Piano Trio category. Trio Azura also received the Rotary Club Scholarship for best chamber music ensemble of the 2023 Accademia Musicale Chigiana Summer Festival in Siena, Italy. Conductor Molly Turner was named a Conducting Fellow with the New World Symphony. Pianist Gabriel Crist won the Concerto Competition at the PianoTexas International Festival and Academy in Fort Worth, Texas, leading to a performance of the Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Fort Worth Symphony conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya.
Javier Morales-Martinez
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Graduates of the Conservatory of Music are found in orchestras and ensembles around the world. The high level of training they receive from Colburn’s world-renowned faculty prepares them to step into professional roles. In recent months, our current students and alumni won the following positions: 0
Ben Adler (’15), Associate Principal/Eb Clarinet with the New York Philharmonic
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Ben Brogadir (’23), Solo English Horn with the Oregon Symphony
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Justin Cummings (’18), 2nd Bassoon with the San Francisco Symphony
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Rachelle Jenkins (’18), Horn position with the United States Air Force Ceremonial Brass in Washington, D.C.
Kayden Kelly
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Sooyoung Kim (’23), Oboe Fellow with the New World Symphony
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Emma Lee (’23), Section Cello with the Pacific Symphony
Horn player Andy Liu was selected to compete in the live rounds of the XVII International Tchaikovsky Competition this past summer.
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Martin Mangrum (’20), 3rd/2nd Horn with the Beethoven Orchester Bonn
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Bobby Nunes (’23), Principal Oboe with the Sarasota Orchestra and with the Virginia Symphony
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Jackson Prasifka (’24), One-year position as 3rd Horn with the Baltimore Symphony
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Tanner West (’22), 4th Horn with the New York Philharmonic
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Jonathan Wisner (’23), Section Percussion with the Seattle Symphony
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Tianlu (Jerry) Xu (’23), Section Cello with the Pacific Symphony
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Shawn Zheng (’24), Horn position with "The President's Own" United States Marine Band
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Pianist Kayden Kelly competed in the 2023 Nina Simone Piano Competition, receiving an award, and was selected to perform with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in October under the baton of Louis Langrée. Violinist James Birch was invited by MUSE/IQUE to perform Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 4 in D Major with conductor Rachel Worby. Pianist Lillian Feng was a junior fellowship recipient at Montecito International Music Festival this summer and won first place in Category III of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers Romantic/ Impressionistic Competition. Cellist Ziqi (Flavia) Jin won a full scholarship with Morningside Music Bridge held at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Cellist Jessica Zhang won first prize at the Redlands Bowl Competition.
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trudl zipper dance institute
Recent Youth Dance graduates are currently studying at top universities around the county including:
Dance Academy graduates recently joined the following professional and pre-professional dance companies:
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Agatha Carlson (’23), Modern Program Graduate, The Cooper Union
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Camilla Yust (’23), Modern Program Graduate, University of Amsterdam
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Bluesette Miller (’23), Advanced Tap Ensemble Graduate, UC Berkeley
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Ryan Edge (’23), Advanced Tap Ensemble Graduate, Pace University
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Sivan Gilbert (’23), Advanced Tap Ensemble Graduate, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
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Noah Masabki (’23), Tap Graduate, UCLA
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Milo Sandgren (’23), Advanced Ballet Graduate, Barnard College
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Frankie Bennett (’23), Cincinnati Ballet, Trainee
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Bryce Broedell (’23), LA Ballet
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Fran Jaya Dhand (’18), Ballet West II
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Alexa Dollar (’23), Ballet Austin, Fellowship Program
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Lulu Manzur (’23), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Professional Division
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Ava Metzger (’23), Louisville Ballet, Apprentice
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Molly Nyhan (’23), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Professional Division
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Joaquin Ruiz (’19), Atlanta Ballet II
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Stella Stulik (’23), American Ballet Theatre, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
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Vinny Mohr (’23), Advanced Ballet Graduate, Point Park University
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Lili Urban (’23), American Ballet Theatre, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School
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Sydney Williams (’20), Boston Ballet,
Advanced Tap Ensemble Graduate Anju Cloud (’15), is currently performing in the Broadway production of Aladdin.
Promoted to Artist of the Company Current Dance Academy students Totocani Garcia and Natalia Reszka both received the Young Artist Scholarship through Laguna Dance Festival and will be receiving funds to put toward their dance education.
Pictured clockwise from left: Ava Metzger, Ryan Edge, Natalia Reszka
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HAPPENING NOW
AT T H E C O L B U R N S C H O O L Community School of Performing Arts
Academy Virtuosi
Top students take the stage in recitals showcasing solo and chamber music in these eagerly anticipated end-ofsemester performances.
This elite conductorless chamber orchestra comprised of talented young musicians brings to life rich works by Haydn, Kalinnikov, Warlock, and Fanny Mendelssohn. December 17 at 6 pm
Honors Chamber Recital December 2 at 7 pm
Michael Montgomery, Dance Master Class
Honors Recital December 10 at 1 pm
Ziering-Conlon Initiative for Recovered Voices* In response to the sold-out performance of the Shostakovich and Weinberg Piano Trios last season, this recital pairs the composers’ intimately connected piano quintets. December 10 at 3 pm
Colburn Winter Dance Celebration Enter into the wonder of the holiday season through this festive program of music and dance, featuring performers from all of Colburn’s dance programs. A special ticketed reception in between the two programs will provide important support for the dance you love! December 16 at 2 pm and 7 pm
As part of his Amplify residency, dancer and choreographer Michael Montgomery works with students in the Dance Academy in an onstage master class. January 17 at 7 pm
Dancer and choreographer Michael Montgomery Photo: Rodrigo Tost Sarraf
Colburn Orchestra at The Soraya** Music Director Yehuda Gilad conducts a vibrant program featuring a colorful yet rarelyheard violin concerto by Karl Goldmark and Mahler’s weighty “Titan” Symphony. January 28 at 3 pm
Colburn Chamber Music Society: Tatjana Masurenko, Viola Viola faculty member Tatjana Masurenko presents a program of chamber works for two, four, and six violas demonstrating the incredible versatility of the instrument. February 4 at 3 pm
Community School of Performing Arts Honors Recital
* The Ziering-Conlon Initiative for Recovered Voices is made possible through the generous support of Marilyn Ziering alongside the many donors who are inspired by this incredibly important work at the Colburn School. **The Colburn Orchestra is generously underwritten by Eva and Marc Stern.
Visit colburnschool.edu/calendar for a complete list of winter performances and the most up-to-date information.
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Celebrate Colburn Gala Join fellow patrons, artists, and students for the Celebrate Colburn Gala, our hallmark annual event featuring exuberant performances and comradery to raise philanthropic support for scholarships and academic programs. This year’s gala, co-chaired by Jennifer Diener and Carol Henry, will be on April 7, 2024, with an inspired performance in Zipper Hall by the Colburn Orchestra under the baton of Artistic Honoree Maestro James Conlon. Be the first to get your tickets when they go on sale in early 2024! For more information, contact us at events@colburnschool.edu.
Mark your calendar for April 7, 2024 and be on the lookout for your invitation coming soon! To learn more visit, colburnschool.edu/gala
Thank you for your unwavering support of world-class performing arts education in Los Angeles. We look forward to seeing you at a concert this season! Please contact us to learn more: philanthropy@colburnschool.edu 200 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California 90012 colburnschool.edu