Faculty


Horn Faculty
Esteemed Principal Horn of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and faculty for Colburn's Conservatory, Community School, and Music Academy
Ryan Emerson Baird holding a bass and smiling in front of a window.
Double Bass Faculty
Ryan performs as a member of both the Santa Barbara Symphony and Delirium Musicum Chamber Ensemble, where he is also a co-founder.
Director, Music Academy; Violin Faculty, Music Academy and Conservatory; Academy Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Margaret Batjer is Director of Colburn's Music Academy, a program dedicated to training exceptional pre-college classical musicians from around the world for careers in music. Concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and a renowned violin soloist, chamber musician, and teacher, Batjer shapes the artistic vision for the Music Academy and will lead the development of the program through its second decade. 
Nita Baxani
Chair, Early Childhood Music Department
Dr. Nita Baxani offers a broad range of experiences as musician, educator, and researcher and is enthusiastic about advocating for music in community.
Violin and Chamber Music Faculty
First violin of the world-renowned Tokyo String Quartet and internationally recognized violinist
Bassoon Faculty, Conservatory Dean Emeritus, and Chair of Winds and Percussion
Richard Beene, Dean Emeritus of the Colburn Conservatory of Music, enjoys an active career as a teacher, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer.