Horn faculty Andrew Bain leads an online studio class.
This past month, the Colburn community transitioned from attending lessons, eagerly rehearsing for upcoming performances, and anticipating the rest of the spring semester to sheltering in place and navigating arts education online. Our faculty and staff have been working tirelessly so that students across all areas of the School can stay connected to the performing arts and continue training through virtual instruction, coaching, and . We are striving to make sure we can all turn to the performing arts as a source of comfort in this time of uncertainty.
Our goal is for Colburn’s vibrant community to remain safe, connected, and engaged, so we have taken a number of actions to establish remote learning. Faculty in the Community School, Conservatory, Music Academy, and Trudl Zipper Dance Institute have developed online curriculums to ensure that students will be provided with an uninterrupted learning experience. Students are able to attend private lessons, group lessons, and lectures virtually and stay in touch with their peers and faculty. All students in degree-granting programs will stay on track and graduating seniors will be able to earn their degrees.
Learn more about our transition to online learning.
In particular, faculty in the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute have developed an extensive real-time interactive curriculum, with technology that allows them to teach and provide feedback to students as if they were physically in class. Our Jumpstart programs in the Community School, taught primarily by our Gluck Teaching Fellows in the Conservatory, will also be able to resume later in April by connecting the Conservatory teaching fellows virtually with Jumpstart students in their homes.
In addition to the shift to online instruction, another focus was ensuring that all residential students who had to move out of Colburn’s dormitories were housed and supported. Staff helped to relocate each student to a friend or relative’s house. Conservatory, Music Academy, and Dance Academy students were provided with over $45,000 of meal, travel, and housing stipends. Conservatory pianists, percussionists, and harpists who are away from their instruments were also matched with private instruments in homes in Los Angeles, rental studios, and other creative practice options so they can continue their training uninterrupted.
Read more on student hosting.
We remain committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff throughout this period. Now more than ever, we rely on the arts to stay connected as a community. We are grateful to have the support of you, our community members, as we traverse these unprecedented times, and look forward to having you back on campus.