Colburn School: A Downtown LA Conservatory

The Colburn School is a vibrant center for music and dance education in downtown Los Angeles. Established in 1950, the school has a rich history, beginning as a preparatory division of the USC Thornton School of Music. It broadened its mission over the years, becoming an independent, non-profit institution named after its principal benefactor, Richard D. Colburn. Today, Colburn encompasses 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, established in 2003, offers Bachelor's and Master's degrees, as well as performance diplomas, with a unique all-scholarship model. The Music Academy is a selective program for pre-collegiate musicians, while the Community School provides open enrollment for children. The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute includes the Dance Academy, a pre-professional ballet program. The school's main building, designed by Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, is located on Grand Avenue, across from The Broad museum and diagonally across from Walt Disney Concert Hall. It features Zipper Hall, a concert venue that hosts student and professional performances, and the rebuilt Lloyd Wright studio of Jascha Heifetz. Colburn has an impressive list of alumni, including violinist Robert Chen and jazz pianist Kris Bowers. The school also hosts a variety of events, including concerts, recitals, and dance performances.