We are thrilled to announce that the Colburn School has hired four new outstanding instructors! Learn more about their musical backgrounds and what they plan to contribute to the Community School of Performing Arts in the coming years.
Opening my students’ eyes to new possibilities and empowering them to become strong individuals with their own unique voice is my ultimate goal. Dominic Cheli
Opening my students’ eyes to new possibilities and empowering them to become strong individuals with their own unique voice is my ultimate goal.
A native of St. Louis, pianist Dominic Cheli has performed with orchestras across the country and is the LIVE Director of Tonebase Piano.
Can you describe your teaching philosophy?
My mission is to discover, nurture, and promote my students in ways that allow them to be artistically independent, imaginative, and knowledgeable so that they can develop healthy, sustainable relationships with their instruments. I believe in being an advocate of all types of music: traditional, unconventional, contemporary, and multi-stylistic. Opening my students’ eyes to new possibilities and empowering them to become strong individuals with their own unique voice is my ultimate goal.
What lessons did you take from your mentors that you still carry with you today?
Some vital things I learned from my past teachers include having an obligation to honor the music through educated and courageous performances infused with a person’s individual expression as well as having a technique that is always at the service of the music!
What are you looking forward to most as a new member of the Colburn Community School?
I am looking forward to being a part of a community that has the well-being and advancement of the students as their primary focus!
While strong technique is necessary and important, I believe that the real goal is to have a flexible technique that will best facilitate expressivity and artistry. Sofia Kim
While strong technique is necessary and important, I believe that the real goal is to have a flexible technique that will best facilitate expressivity and artistry.
Korean-American, Los Angeles native Sofia Kim joins our violin faculty with a varied and diverse performing career as a soloist and chamber musician.
My teaching philosophy aims to nurture my students into becoming exceptional whole beings who can express themselves freely and generously share music with joy, compassion, and empathy. While strong technique is necessary and important, I believe that the real goal is to have a flexible technique that will best facilitate expressivity and artistry. As a teacher, I take a deep interest and responsibility in the entire well-being of my students, not just musically, but intellectually and emotionally. Taking into account the unique qualities, learning styles, and temperaments of each student, I strive to keep my teaching approach fluid and adaptable so that I can develop each student mindfully and empower them as musicians.
During the many years I was studying with Almita Vamos, what struck me was how she was always learning, even after decades of impressive and impactful teaching. She never claimed to have all the answers and took so much joy and pride in learning and adapting. Her eagerness to improve and expand is something that inspires me every day.
So many things! I spent so much time here as a young violinist and look forward to experiencing this space and community as an adult. I hope to get to know my colleagues better and lastly, I am really excited to start working with my students here.
My piano teachers had a great influence on my life and love for music, and I hope to inspire the same in my students and help them reach their full potential. Ivana Malo
My piano teachers had a great influence on my life and love for music, and I hope to inspire the same in my students and help them reach their full potential.
Croatian pianist Ivana Grubelic Malo has performed throughout Europe and the United States and is dedicated to inspiring a lifelong love of music within her students.
I strive to inspire a lifelong love of music in my students, building on a solid foundation of healthy technique and musicality. In my mind, every one of my students is an individual so I shape my teaching to their unique needs – from psychology and motivation to the development of their technique. I take great care in finding the right repertoire for each student at every stage of their development so that they can not only develop and improve their technique, but also play music that resonates with them and helps them unlock their artistic sensibilities.
It was through my teachers that I developed my deep love of music.
The enthusiasm they showed when teaching me new pieces and revealing all the nuances that made each one so special heightened my excitement in practicing and strengthened my joy in discovering new material. They revealed a world of subtlety that I had not imagined, which made me realize that it’s when you reach beyond the surface that you can find your own unique expression and interpretation.
From a young age, my teachers taught me the importance of producing a beautiful tone and the use of arm weight in playing the piano, demonstrating that technique and musicality must always go together.
They emphasized the importance of playing without tension, which deepened my interest in the physical and psychological wellness of performers. Studying with Carola Grindea while assisting her at the International Society for Study of Tension in Performance in London is something that I still carry with me to this day.
My teaching principles are based on outlining the advantageous mental and physical practice techniques revealed through research in Sports Psychology. Dimitry Olevsky
My teaching principles are based on outlining the advantageous mental and physical practice techniques revealed through research in Sports Psychology.
Violinist Dimitry Olevsky blends classical technique with his own research in Sport Psychology to fine-tune the body and mind for performance.
My teaching principles are based on outlining the advantageous mental and physical practice techniques revealed through research in Sports Psychology. These methods help my students strategically overcome the numerous psychological obstacles in order to develop a consistently high level of performance. High-level performance under pressure is the common goal among many students, and I apply my teaching methods to develop and increase control of muscular and mental functions, accuracy, precision, discipline, mental awareness, and overall coordination in violin performance.
Musicians ‘play’ music as athletes ‘play’ sports. Therefore, like sports, a musical performance is a physical activity with extreme demands on technical facility, training ethics, discipline, deliberate practice, structure, dedication, determination, motivation and inspiration.
What are you looking forward to most as a new member of the Colburn Community School? I am looking forward to collaborating with other faculty as a violinist, and also for my students to have performance opportunities where they showcase their talent and be inspired by their peers.
Interested in registering for private lessons at the Community School? Submit your inquiry today.
Learn more about private lessons, ensembles, and group class offerings at the Community School of Performing Arts.
Stay up to date on all the latest Community School news by signing up for our monthly newsletter.
[Updated: 4/30/21]
This year, 25 students and alumni from the Community School, Music Academy, and Trudl Zipper Dance Institute were selected as semifinalists and Grand Prize finalists in the Music Center’s Spotlight Awards. Of the 112 semifinalists selected in 2021, over 20% attend or have attended Colburn. Following two rounds of virtual auditions, semifinalists attend a master class before the next round of auditions and the announcement of the Grand Prize finalists.
Grand Prize finalists will participate in the Spotlight Grand Finale on May, 22, 2021 at 7 pm PT hosted by Spotlight alum and pop recording icon Josh Groban. Colburn Grand Prize finalists in the classical instrumental category also receive a prize, funded by Jerry and Terri Kohl, of $2,500, which supports their continued educational and artistic development.
In addition to accepting over $100,000 in cash awards, Spotlight participants are also able to participate in master classes, get personalized feedback from distinguished judges, gain audition experience and coaching, and more. More than a competition, Spotlight is a scholarship and arts training program that emphasizes preparation, courage, critical thinking, and perseverance for students. Notable Spotlight alumni include Emmy award-winning composer and Community School alumnus Kris Bowers, Tony Award winner Lindsay Mendez, and American Ballet Theatre’s principal dancer Misty Copeland.
Congratulations to these students on this tremendous accomplishment.
Hannah Nordberg ‡
Jessie Franks ‡ Lauren Gmelich *‡
Fengyang (William) Ju ^
Anaïs Feller ^ Mei Hotta ^§ Eunice Lee ^§ Allison Park *† Daniel Wang ^§ Cole Turkel ^§ Hina Tamaki §
Tess Alexander *
Santiago Lopez § JJ Lybbert §
Elder Gindroz * Declan Houlihan * David Lee * Gianna Pedregon * Jack Lieberman * Max Nguyen * William Schwartzman * Jacob Speth * Lucas Sterling * Kai Suzuki * Joshua Wong *
* Community School of Performing Arts student § Community School of Performing Arts alumni ^ Music Academy student † Music Academy alumnus ‡ Trudl Zipper Dance Institute alumni
The National YoungArts Foundation included 13 Colburn School students and alumni among those honored for their outstanding work in the performing arts. The 2021 YoungArts winners receive support for their blossoming careers, including cash awards of up to $10,000, validation and guidance by renowned mentors, opportunities to participate in YoungArts programs, and a strong professional network.
Each year, the foundation recognizes young artists from across the country in the areas of literary, visual, design, and performing arts. Thousands of young artists aged 15–18 applied, and the foundation selected 659 as finalists, honorable mentions, and merit winners. Finalists are eligible to become US Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and get to participate in this year’s virtual National YoungArts Week + streaming January 25–30. From January 3–9, the finalists participate in online classes and workshops, concluding with the development and recording of their work for the virtual event, which is open to the public for free.
Congratulations to these students and alumni on this outstanding achievement.
Allison Park, Viola*† Joseph Karz, Composition*
Oliviana Marie Halus-Griep, Singer-songwriter*
Kai Burns, Guitar* Gianna Pedregon, Violin*
Noah Jung, Clarinet^ Kevin Miura, Violin^§
Elijah Alexander, Composition* Kai Burns, Composition* Cody Nakatsukasa, Double Bass* William Schwartzman, Piano* Joshua Wong, Composition* Adam Zilberman, Saxophone*
Apsara Kasiraman, Composition*
Brenda Greggio, Composition*
* Community School of Performing Arts student § Community School of Performing Arts alumni ^ Music Academy student † Music Academy alumni
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.
Since performances and classes began just a few short months ago, Colburn has been alive with activity. The School celebrated Beethoven’s birthday early with a weeklong festival, welcomed renowned guest artists to work alongside students, presented performances that garnered rave reviews, and applauded the impressive accomplishments of students in all units.
Inspired by the LA Times recap of the top classical music stories from 2019, we’ve assembled some of our favorite Colburn stories from the season so far:
“Even apart from the frisson of the competition circuit, it’s clear that Zhou has the goods essential for his demanding field: virtuoso technique, musical intelligence, style, and personality. And he commands the discipline to pursue his goals.” Read the full story
“You can easily tell Colburn is a student orchestra by the players’ youth. You can’t tell so easily if you close your eyes. Salonen sought out, and got, myriad Wagnerian sound worlds. Those peculiar Wagnerian tubas tell you about strangeness as much as Stravinsky’s music did.” Read the full story
“This quartet, formed by students at Colburn nine years ago and now taking the world by storm, is astonishing. Its performances of two of late Beethoven quartets Wednesday, some of the most utterly profound chamber music in existence, were shockingly deep. I’ve never heard a quartet so young get so inside this ultimately inscrutable music.” Read the full story
“Kanneh-Mason and his sister hope to provide some inspiration themselves while in Los Angeles. On Monday Sheku gave a master class at Colburn, and Isata held a Q&A with the conservatory’s students. Kardan suspects those budding musicians will treat them as rock stars. But if the students are hoping for Buckingham Palace gossip, they’re likely to be disappointed.” Read the full story
“Every now and again I have the opportunity to work with ballet students, and in doing so come across a child with unusual maturity and work ethic, or a teacher with an uncommon gift for unlocking a student’s idea of their own possibility… what a gift it is to be here @colburnschool witnessing teachers who are helping connect the inner power of young adults with their physical bodies…” Read the full post
“Jazmín Morales sees being a “cultural translator” as part of her job as manager of the Center for Innovation and Community Impact… ‘I learned how to navigate in both the worlds of Western classical music and Mexican folk music. Now I find myself moving between the two worlds and bringing them into convergence.'” Read the full story
The National YoungArts Foundation included 18 Colburn School students and alumni among those honored for their outstanding work in the performing arts. The 2020 YoungArts winners receive support for their blossoming careers, including cash awards of up to $10,000, validation and guidance by renowned mentors, opportunities to participate in YoungArts programs, and a strong professional network.
Each year, the foundation recognizes young artists from across the country in the areas of literary, visual, design, and performing arts. Thousands of young artists aged 15–18 applied, and the foundation selected 686 as finalists, honorable mentions, and merit winners. Finalists are eligible to become US Presidential Scholars in the Arts, and get to participate in the National YoungArts Week in Miami.
Classical Music Albert Gang, Violin^ Andy Park, Viola^§ Cole Turkel, Clarinet*
Classical Music Alexander Fried, Violin* Mei Hotta, Cello* Scott Quirk, Flute†§
Jazz Benjamin Conn, Trombone*
Classical Music Stacey Chung, Cello^ Nicholas Kim, Clarinet* Richard Qiu, Piano§ Will Robles, Cello*
Jazz Dario Bizio, Double Bass§ Kai Burns, Guitar* Ivan Cuevas, Guitar* Declan Houlihan, Percussion* Alex Lui, Flute* Leo Major, Composition* Joshua Wong, Composition*
Conservatory alumnus Eduardo Rios (AD ’19) will join the Seattle Symphony as First Assistant Concertmaster for their 2019–20 season.
Community School violinists Nichole Aye and Erica Delos Santos will perform with the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on August 3.
Nicholas Hooks, a Conservatory bassoonist, won first prize in the Boston Woodwind Society’s Sherman Walt Merit Award Competition.
Conservatory alumnus Gregory LaRosa (MM ’19) will join the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra as Principal Timpanist this fall.
Community School pianist Brandon Chen placed first in the category of Open Solo for students ages 11 and below for the 2019 Southwestern Youth Music Festival in Long Beach, CA.
Current Conservatory student Luke Fieweger will serve as Associate Principal Bassoon for the Seattle Symphony beginning this fall.
Community School pianist Dylan Iskandar received third place in Open Solo category for the 2019 Southwestern Youth Music Festival.
Community School vocalists Angie Villella, Albert Gonzalez, Emmanuel Yoque, and Anna White attended the Westminster College SummerSong Music Camp.
Community School pianist Winston Iskandar won second place in Open Chopin category for the 2019 Southwestern Youth Music Festival.
Community School vocalist Clarisse Cao attended the Oberlin Conservatory Summer Vocal Arts Academy.
Colburn students have always had access to the highest-quality performing arts education through our world-class faculty, sequential learning programs, and multiple performance opportunities. However, beginning this school year, they will have even more ways to take their artistry to the next level.
Read on to discover exciting new offerings from around the school.
Starting this school year, the Center for Innovation and Community Impact will offer a series of eight short courses for Colburn students as part of its career development programming. Although the courses are designed for Conservatory students, all music students will benefit and are encouraged to attend.
Students will be able to select from seminars that cover resume, biography, and professional photo tips, financial literacy, community engagement, digital marketing, and other practical knowledge and skills for professional musicians.
Previously, graduating Conservatory students enrolled in the Working Musician course taught by Dr. Nathaniel Zeisler, Dean for Community Initiatives. By adapting this one course into several different classes, students will be able to choose areas that are most relevant to their career goals, giving them a more tailored and in-depth experience. Students will also be able to take courses throughout their enrollment at Colburn rather than only in their senior year, thus allowing them to develop skills and understanding throughout their education.
Apart from academic courses, the Center will also expand its artist toolshed, which equips students with tech gear such as computers, cameras, and microphones for rental use. The expansion involves this year’s Entrepreneurs in Residence, Jared Dickerson and Simone Porter of The Upnote podcast, who will assist in developing a new studio for students to record podcasts.
The Center for Innovation and Community Impact will continue working with student soloists and ensembles to present community programming throughout the year.
This fall, parents with young children will find captivating new programs, including additional classes in Early Childhood and Drama on Sundays, a hybrid Dalcroze and Music theory class for five year olds called Beginning Musicianship, and the Suzuki Guitar program.
The brand new Suzuki Guitar Program is directed by Dr. Connie Sheu, a classical guitarist with over 10 years of experience teaching Suzuki Guitar. Weekly private lessons and group instruction ensures that students are progressing at their own pace, developing ensemble skills, and reinforcing proper technique on the instrument. Suzuki guitar is open to students ages five and older. For enrollment information, contact Dr. Connie Sheu at csheu@colburnschool.edu.
For students looking to continue studying music in college, the new College Audition Prep for Singers class provides college-aspiring high school singers with the knowledge, strategies, and technical skills needed to craft a first-rate college music audition. This class is taught by voice faculty Michael Chipman. Mr. Chipman shares a conclusion he formed from his experience in the college audition process, “It seems to me, having been on the other side of the audition table for many years, that there is a lot of information that would be very helpful in preparing students (and their parents) for those auditions.” Twelve weeks will be a seminar on specific topics, and four weeks will be conducted as master classes. The class will provide the information and technical knowledge to construct a successful college audition and set students apart from the competition.
The Community School has added two ensembles, Symphonic Band and the Colburn Sinfonietta. Designed for middle school students with at least one year playing experience in a band or ensemble at their school, the Symphonic Band is a welcoming group for those students looking for an entrance into the band continuum here at Colburn. This program allows winds, brass, and percussion students to gain skills, develop ensemble experience, and reach their musical goals, all while surrounded by encouraging faculty and peers.
Additionally, the Community School is excited to announce the Colburn Sinfonietta as part of the advanced orchestra program. Featuring talented wind and string players, students in this close-knit group will dig deep into Classical repertoire and explore their musicality as a group.
Read more about all of the ensembles.
Beginning this fall, the Music Academy will offer a new curriculum track for students who live on or near campus. Each weekday morning, these students will take classes that include eurhythmics and improvisation, movement, choir, basic conducting, piano skills (for non-pianists), as well as duo coaching and continuo training (for pianists). They, along with other music students across the school, will have the opportunity to use a new state-of-the-art piano lab to develop basic keyboard skills expected in most collegiate-level music programs.
For our high-school aged Music Academy students who are beginning a pre-professional track, the development of fundamental skills such as movement, stage presence, and musical expression is crucial to their artistic development. With the addition of these new curricular offerings, Music Academy students will be able to expand and supplement their musical skills in a holistic manner, while experiencing new learning opportunities that will also help to build camaraderie among the student cohort.
After last year’s newly established partnership with Oak Crest Academy, this year’s curricular addition creates even more structure to the Music Academy’s program while allowing students to maintain their focus on instrumental performance.
Music Academy students will continue to perform with the Academy Virtuosi chamber orchestra, in chamber music settings, on the Music Academy Young Artist Performance recital series, and at special events throughout the year.
Every year, Colburn serves over 2,000 enrolled students in addition to those who are reached offsite by outreach programs in the Center for Innovation and Community Impact. And each year, around 150 of those students move on to college, training programs, or the professional world. Colburn embraces its commitment to this growing community by investing in alumni engagement.
As part of this effort, the school established the position of Manager of Alumni and Parent Relations this past March with Los Angeles native Michele Yamamoto filling the role. Michele brings a valuable history of supporting donors, students, and families at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. This school year she will be concentrating on developing effective and consistent measures to engage both alumni and parents, which will include existing family-focused events throughout the year and new events.
As a means to connect, once a month, Alumni and Parent Relations will host an “Office Hours” pop-up as a gathering space for Colburn families to have the chance to get to know supporting staff, other families, and students. Coffee and snacks will be provided. Michele, as Manager of Alumni and Parent Relations will spearhead this new series as an effort to knit the Colburn family closer.
The first Office Hours will take place on Saturday, August 24 from 9 am to 12 pm on the plaza in front of Thayer Hall.
The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute has added a new Youth Dance program for male students ages 10–14. In the Boys Youth Ballet program, students will participate in Ballet Levels IV and V (based on placement), and take two male-only classes per week with a focus on learning more advanced steps specialized to male ballet dancers, such as jumps, lifts, and leaps. They will also be able to combine with female students in three other classes for supplementary instruction.
The program is designed to give provide boys the specialized attention they need at that age to begin developing the different, more masculine style of ballet needed to progress to a higher level. After finishing the Boys Youth Ballet program, students will be well-prepared to audition for the Colburn Dance Academy, which prepares dancers for a professional career.
Beyond the technical skills the program will teach, Boys Youth Ballet will also present a social outlet for male dancers to get to know each other and be part of a like-minded group of students.
Scholarships will be available for male-only classes, with a possibility of full funding based on merit for the additional classes.
In the two years since the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute restructured, Youth Dance has worked to establish a sequential learning curriculum for successful development. The Boys Youth Ballet program will bring an added layer resulting in deeper preparatory training.
Music Academy alumna Mayumi Kanagawa, violin, placed fourth in the final round of the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition and was awarded $5,000.
Community School cellist Madison Gamboa won a full scholarship to the Sphinx Performance Academy, a chamber and performance program for gifted string students from cultural backgrounds that are underrepresented in the field of classical music.
Conservatory violinist Hao Zhou was selected as the Grand Laureate of the 2019 Concours Musical International de Montréal Violin Competition.
Community School alumna Caroline Hales won Grand Prize in the American Harp Society National Competition, Young Professional Category.
Conservatory violinist Julie Lin won first prize in the Concerto Competition at the Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy (PRISMA) and will perform with the Moscow Symphony Orchestra.
Community School alumna Annette Lee (harp, ’19) performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as a part of recognition of the 2019 US Presidential Scholars in the Arts, which she was awarded this year. Annette also received first prize for the American Harp Society National Competition, Intermediate II Division.
Conservatory trombone player Connor Rowe will be joining the New Mexico Philharmonic as the Principal Trombone in Fall 2019.
Conservatory alumnus Gianluca Farina (trumpet, AD ’19) will be a Fellow in the New World Symphony Fellowship Program starting in the fall.
Nicholas Hooks, a Conservatory bassoonist, won the Principal Bassoon position with the Billings Symphony starting Fall 2019.
Community School pianist Gavin Yang received first place in the Junior Division Glendale Orchestra Performance Competition.
Conservatory clarinetist Vitor Trindade will be joining the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra as the 2nd clarinet starting Fall 2019.
Community School flutist Joseph Loi performed as a soloist with the Asia America Youth Symphony.
Conservatory alumna Elyse Lauzon (PSC ’15) will join the Pacific Symphony as a member of the horn section beginning in August.
Musical Theater student Nicholas Vuckovich was awarded a John Raitt Award for Youth for Lead Male Soloist.
Conservatory pianist Sam Glicklich won the piano competition at the Aspen Music Festival and School and will debut with the Aspen Philharmonic Orchestra on July 10.
Community School cellist Claire Park performed with the Olympia Orchestra, directed by Fung Ho, as part of the Grand Prize of the 2018 American String Teacher’s Association, LA Competition.
Conservatory alumna Kayla Chang (harp, BM ’11) completed her medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and was promoted to lieutenant in the US Navy.
Community School pianist Richard Qiu was a finalist for the Celia Mendez Young Pianist’s Beethoven Competition.
Conservatory violinist Hanna Zhdan won the Concerto Competition at the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy (FOOSA).
Violinist Blake Pouliot (PSC ’18) made his Dallas Symphony Orchestra debut in mid-May.
Percussionist Derek Tywoniuk (MM ’15) has completed his PhD in Music Composition at the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music.
Avi Nagin (BM ’13) will be joining the Amernet Quartet as second violin and will also be joining the faculty of Florida International University, where the quartet serves as Ensemble-in-Residence.
This year’s Youth Dance and Dance Academy seniors will be attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, Syracuse University, San Diego State University, San Francisco State University, USC, Indiana University, and University of Utah.
Stephen Marshall, a Dance Academy student, will be joining the Carolina Ballet’s apprentice program.
Modern and ballet dancer Madeleine Lee was accepted to the Alvin Ailey training program.
Dance Academy student Maeve Sentner will be joining the Grand Rapids Ballet as an apprentice.
This year’s graduating Community School students will attend The Juilliard School, Oberlin Conservatory, the Peabody Institute, UCLA, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Occidental College, Cal State Long Beach, Boston University, Berklee College of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, UC Santa Cruz, Pasadena City College, USC Thornton School of Music, Pierce College, and more.
Herbert Zipper Scholar and Community School violinist Nichole Aye was a guest performer playing all movements of Vivaldi’s “Summer” with Filipino-American Symphony Orchestra at Walt Disney Hall.
Community School violinist Amy Sze was chosen as a member of the Shenandoah String Quartet Program at the Heifetz International Music Institute.
Community School violist Andy Park won overall runner up for Best Performance of the Competition for ASTA Regional Finals and will advance to state.
Community School pianists Vivienne Hong-Harutyunyan and Sarah Shin were winners in the Southern California Junior Regional Bach Festival.
Community School pianist Will Robles won first place in Dozen Charitable Trust Fund Music Scholarship Competition (MTAC – Los Angeles branch).
Community School pianist Yiting Han was the first prizewinner of the MTNA Romantic/Impressionistic Competition.
Community School cellist Lucas Lee was an ASTA Solo Competition Elementary Division Winner.
Music Academy cellist Sarah Kave and Community School alumnus Javier Morales Martinez, clarinet, will perform on From the Top with guest host, pianist Lara Downes.
Recent Music Academy graduate Ann Kuo was selected as the 2019 American Joe Zawinul “Z” Award winner. She will spend three weeks in Vienna, Austria attending master classes and lessons as part of the Joe Zawinul Music Exchange program.