Student and Alumni Accomplishments

Smiling student on Colburn plaza
Students in the Community School of Performing Arts hone their artistic abilities and learn skills that shape their lives on and off the stage. Students regularly take top honors among their peers in nationwide competitions and the majority of graduates go on to colleges, universities, and conservatories.

Alumni Profiles

Preparing Students for College

97% of high school seniors in the Community School went on to higher education in 2019–20, entering Ivy League universities and top music programs, including:

  • Cleveland Institute of Music
  • Columbia University
  • Eastman School of Music
  • Juilliard School
  • New England Conservatory
  • Oberlin Conservatory
  • Princeton University
  • Stanford University
  • University of California system schools
  • Yale University

Awards and Competitions

2020 YoungArts Competition, National YoungArts Foundation

Winners receive financial awards, as well as creative and professional development experiences working with renowned mentors.

  • 3 finalists
  • 3 honorable mentions
  • 10 merit awards
2020 and 2021 US Presidential Scholars Program

Community School students Anoush Pogossian, clarinet, and Allison Park, viola, were selected as 2020 and 2021 US Presidential Scholar in the Arts, respectively. They were both one of the 20 students chosen by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars based on their artistic achievements, academic accomplishments, leadership and overall creativity.

2020 Spotlight Awards, The Music Center

This scholarship and arts training program emphasizes preparation, courage, critical thinking, and perseverance for students. In 2020, the School announced a new $2,500 award available annually to Colburn students who are grand prize finalists in the classical instrumental category. Funded by Jerry and Terri Kohl, the prize will support the continued artistic development of the winning students.

  • 2 classical instrumental grand prize finalists
  • 2 jazz instrumental grand prize finalists
From the Top

America’s largest national platform celebrates young classically trained musicians through live events, NPR and video broadcasts, scholarships, and arts education programs.

  • 4 students featured on broadcasts in 2019–20
2020 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Downbeat Magazine

The DownBeat Awards are considered the most prestigious awards in jazz education. Colburn students have consistently won DownBeat awards for the past decades.

  • 4 high school honors winners
  • 3 high school outstanding compositions
Nancy and Barry Sanders Composer Fellowship Program, LA Phil

The innovative, multi-year program offers students a high level of consistent and intensive focus on the process and production of music composition, giving them the tools and freedom necessary to shape the future of concert music.

  • 8 student fellows in 2019–20