Colburn School: A Downtown LA Conservatory

The Colburn School stands as a beacon for performing arts education in Los Angeles. Established in 1950, it initially served as a preparatory division of the USC Thornton School of Music. In 1980, it gained independence and broadened its mission, becoming the Colburn School of Performing Arts. A significant endowment from Richard D. Colburn in 1985 led to the school being renamed in his honor. Today, Colburn comprises four divisions: the Conservatory of Music, the Music Academy, the Community School of Performing Arts, and the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute. The Conservatory of Music provides collegiate training for classical musicians, while the Music Academy offers advanced instruction for pre-collegiate students. The Community School provides music training to students of all ages and skill levels. The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute offers comprehensive dance programs, including a Dance Academy for aspiring ballet dancers. Colburn's campus is located in downtown Los Angeles, near the Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Its main building, designed by Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, incorporates the Lloyd Wright-designed studio of Jascha Heifetz. Zipper Hall, a 435-seat concert hall within the school, hosts a variety of performances throughout the year. In 2022, plans were announced to build the Colburn Center, a new venue designed by Frank Gehry, further expanding the school's facilities. Colburn has a long list of notable alumni who have achieved success in music and dance. The school's faculty includes distinguished performers and educators, such as conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen and harpist JoAnn Turovsky. Colburn is dedicated to providing access to top-level instruction, with a unique all-scholarship model for its Conservatory students.