The Colburn School is dedicated to providing equitable access to excellence in performing arts education. Our programs are designed to identify dedicated students at all levels who face structural inequities that create barriers to quality arts education and to support them with the resources of the institution for as long as they wish to study. By providing the highest level of performing arts instruction starting in early childhood and extending though pre-professional studies with a robust scholarship program, we offer students and families an unparalleled arts education curriculum. We seek to recruit, train, and empower the next generation of artists who will use their gifts to enact meaningful change in the world. We believe these deep commitments will result in a stronger, more diverse artistic workforce and creative society.
To effectively do this important work, Colburn is proud to build on the foundational cornerstones that have informed our community-based work for decades:
Access to excellence: The Colburn School has a history of opening its doors to all members of the Los Angeles community who wish to pursue dance and music at the highest level. Created through the remarkable vision and transformational philanthropy of Richard D. Colburn, Colburn began as a community music school dedicated to providing equitable access to excellence in performing arts education. In 2003 Richard Colburn’s vision of a fully scholarshipped Conservatory came to life, removing all financial barriers for talented young artists. Robust scholarship support is available across the institution and over $15 million in scholarship support is awarded annually.
In a typical year:
The legacy of Herbert Zipper: Considered the founding father of the community arts movement in the United States, Herbert Zipper championed the notion that Colburn and a performing arts education should be available to everyone. His legacy lives on in our vibrant Community School, thriving community engagement programs, and through the spirit of our many community partnerships in Los Angeles.
Our partners include:
A thriving performing arts pipeline: Over the past 10 years, Colburn has built a robust pipeline of programs for students from 15 under-resourced partner schools within six miles of the institution. These programs offer opportunities for full scholarships to study in all areas of the Community School from the time they enter the program. The current pipeline serves over 6,800 students from the Los Angeles community.
The pipeline programs include:
Preparing the next generation: Through comprehensive programs which address all facets of a young artist’s development, Colburn prepares the next generation of artists for success on and off the concert stage. Students leave Colburn ready to excel in the next phase of their lives and careers.
Our student programs include: