Discover the wonderful world of dance at Colburn!
Official registration for summer has now closed, however we are still accepting registrations for some of our programs. Please contact dance@colburnschool.edu if you are interested in registering.
Led by a renowned faculty made up of some of the most exceptional former professional dancers in the industry, the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute is dedicated to developing the individual gifts and talents of each of our students, from pre-school children discovering the joy of dance for the first time, to adults in our Adult Dance program.
Our Youth Ballet Intensive, Teen Modern Intensive, and Teen Tap Intensive offer serious young dancers an opportunity to continue their training over the summer on our beautiful campus in Downtown Los Angeles, led by our exceptional faculty and guest artists.
Young beginner and intermediate dancers can explore ballet, modern, and tap in our two week Summer Dance Camp, which is a fantastic introduction to all of Colburn’s dance genres.
We have also designed a four-week ‘Summer Saturdays’ program which runs on Saturdays in June and July. This program offers weekly classes for children ages 4 to adult, across ballet, modern, tap, and jazz. If you’ve ever wondered if Colburn School is right for your child, then this is a fantastic opportunity to experience a taste of Colburn Dance ahead of the new semester.
Explore our full range of summer camps and programs below. If you have any queries, please contact dance@colburnschool.edu
Enhance your ballet training and experience life on the beautiful Colburn campus during this one-week intensive. Students will grow through close work with Colburn’s distinguished faculty and special guest teachers.
Classes will include but are not limited to ballet technique, contemporary, partnering, conditioning, and exploring approaches to artistic perspectives through conversations and various repertoire.
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A weeklong immersive repertory workshop for dancers ages 12–18 years. Taught by Colburn’s modern dance chair, Tamsin Carlson, a former dancer with Lucinda Childs and Rudy Perez.
A daily modern technique class with morning and afternoon sessions of repertory will culminate with an afternoon studio showing Friday 28, to which family and friends are invited.
This is a two-week comprehensive study of Colburn’s dance genres including ballet, modern, tap, and jazz for beginning and intermediate dancers ages 7-14. Morning classes will alternate between tap and jazz, and afternoon classes alternate between ballet and modern. Dancers will be divided by age and level.
This is a two-week comprehensive study of Colburn’s dance genres with a ballet emphasis for students ages 8-13. Dancers are divided into two age groups and take daily morning classes in ballet technique, pre-pointe/beginner pointe, ballet variations, and afternoon offerings ranging from modern, tap, jazz, and stretch/strength. This is an opportunity to enhance a student’s beginner or intermediate training experience with Colburn’s resident faculty.
The Teen Tap Intensive is designed for serious tap students wanting to take their skills to the next level. Focused training in technique, improvisation and repertory is taught by our world class faculty and guest artists.
Dancers who enroll in the two week Teen Tap Intensive will be enrolled in the Supremes Level of the Tap Music Project in week one.
Join world famous tap dancer, Sarah Reich and her esteemed faculty for the Tap Music Project Intensive 10 year anniversary celebration! Students will collaborate with professional musicians studying music theory, improvisation, and choreography while writing original music accompanied by a music video shoot.
Dates: July 1–6
Existing students can join us for four Saturdays beginning June 29 to keep up their training over the summer, and new students are welcome to register for this four-week program to try out classes before registering for the fall semester. Classes include:
Creative Dance I and II
Pre-Ballet
Ballet Prep I and II
Beginning Ballet
Modern I and II
Tap I, II, and Beginning Teen Tap
Intermediate Adult Modern is in Horton Technique. A rigorous dance form with an emphasis on alignment, strength, flexibility, musicality and spatial awareness to enable dramatic freedom of expression.
Previous tap study is recommended for this class. Adults build on their skills and are encouraged to improve their technique and music skills allowing them to work on their improvisational skills. Traditional choreography is learned as well as original dances created for this class. Adults are welcome to take part in an informal performance at the end of the spring semester. This class meets once weekly.
This class is suited for a complete beginner or more experienced adult student who is looking for a slow and thorough breakdown of ballet steps.. There is always a focus on correct alignment, strength building, and musicality in a positive, encouraging environment.
This is a comprehensive ballet class with faster tempos and longer combinations, always with a focus on correct alignment, strength building, and musicality in a positive, encouraging environment.
This class introduces adults to basic rudiments and weight changes, loose ankles and the proper leg movement needed for tap. Tap terminology is learned as well as basic percussion, giving connections of how the taps are produced and counted musically. This class meets once weekly.
Exceptional Music Training for All Ages
In June and July 2024, the Colburn School is excited to offer nine different summer music camps, intensives, and workshops for musicians ages 8 and up.
Our music camps are led by Colburn’s esteemed faculty and renowned guest artists, offering both existing and new students the chance to enhance their skills by studying with some of the top instructors in their fields. Students also have an excellent opportunity to build relationships with like-minded young musicians.
In addition, students of all ages can study music and drama during the summer in group classes and private lessons! Our Early Childhood Summer Samplers introduce children ages 7 months to 6 years to the joys of music and the performing arts. Jazz, Drama, Music Theory, and Group Guitar and Piano allow school-aged and adult students to explore their creativity alongside their peers.
The formal application deadline for summer programs has now passed, however we will accept applications on a rolling basis until May 24 for selected camps.
Explore our summer music camps below!
The Colburn Summer Chamber Music Intensive provides focused ensemble playing for the serious chamber music student. Students will be grouped into a trio, quartet, or quintet and learn an entire work during their time together. Along with rehearsals, students will participate in stage presence activities, team building, master classes, and other group-building activities. Coaches from the Ed and Mari Edelman Chamber Music Institute will provide instruction, along with other chamber music professionals.
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Unfortunately the Summer Choral Workshop has been cancelled due to low enrollment, however we still have opportunities for young vocalists this summer! Students are invited to inquire about private vocal lessons and group classes, and applications for the Choirs at Colburn 2024–25 academic year are now being accepted.
The Dalcroze Summer Intensive offers musicians and music educators the opportunity to immerse themselves in Dalcroze education.
Dalcroze education is a playful, experiential approach to teaching and learning music. The Dalcroze approach emphasizes the use of the whole body and highlights ear training as an essential component of music education.
The Colburn Guitar Intensive offers an immersive experience for intermediate and advanced students between ages 8–18. The camp will run 9 am–3 pm daily. Students can choose between a Classical Guitar track or a Studio Guitar track with classes geared towards each style. The Classical Guitar track will include small ensembles, technique workshops, sightreading skills, flamenco workshops, guitar orchestra, master classes, and concerts with guest artists. The Studio Guitar track will include strumming styles, fingerpicking, soloing, fretboard logic, reading skills, jam sessions, and special techniques.
Students will work with Colburn Guitar Faculty Connie Sheu, Erin Young, and Kenton Youngstrom, along with special guest artists throughout the week. The camp will culminate in a concert featuring performances by enrolled students.
The Colburn Jazz Workshop’s Big Band directors, Mr. Lee Secard and Dr. Walter Simonsen, are proud to present a special Summer Jazz Camp. This camp will include daily playing and improvisation, jazz theory, practicing/learning strategies, ear training, and listening to repertoire.
Led by Colburn Faculty Danielle Ondarza and Mike Zonshine, Colburn’s Los Angeles Summer Brass Institute will offer students the opportunity to perform together in one large brass ensemble in the morning, followed by smaller chamber music groups in the afternoon, rhythm classes and special master classes. All ensembles will be led by the Colburn School’s brass faculty. The Los Angeles Brass Institute is open to Advanced brass players who have been playing their instrument for at least four years or more, and the Intermediate Seminar is geared towards students who have at least two years of playing experience.
Unfortunately the Los Angeles Honor Band has been cancelled due to low enrollment, however we still have opportunities for young musicians this summer! Students are invited to inquire about private lessons, and applications for the 2024-25 Concert Band and Wind Ensemble are now being accepted.
Develop your piano playing skills, engage with experienced Colburn piano faculty, and connect with fellow piano students through classes and performances during the 2024 Summer Piano Camp Intensive. Each day begins with a movement class and ends with a group theory and/or piano literature seminar. Each student will receive two 45–minute private piano lessons per week with esteemed Colburn faculty to work towards a recital performance at the end of the intensive.
The Summer Saxophone Intensive at the Colburn School is run by Dr. John Hallberg, Colburn saxophone faculty, and will offer a dynamic and diverse musical experience for the young saxophonist.
The camp will include a wide range of events such as lectures on saxophone fundamentals and techniques, daily warm-ups, master classes, saxophone chamber music, one-on-one lessons, guest vendors, and student and faculty concerts. Soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophonists that have been playing for at least two years and are intermediate to advanced players are all welcome to join!
June 3–15 Age range:
No age limit. Must be 14 to be a residential student.
Sounding Point Academy was founded by Colburn faculty Robert Lipsett and Fabiola Kim to nurture the next generation of soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral musicians, and pedagogues. During this two-week in-person program, students will delve into a curriculum that explores the most critical of violinistic elements. Students will have opportunities to perform for the world’s leading performing artists, master the intricacies of orchestral excerpts, and gain comprehensive knowledge of the technical aspects of violin performance. The program will also offer a public-speaking and movement component, highlighting the value of entrepreneurship and versatility of a complete musician. The course is designed to give structure to the daily life of a student with ample practice time built into it. The Sounding Point Academy seeks to build a robust community support system for aspiring violinists as they grow to become the next generation of musical leaders.
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“The Brass Intensive and the faculty’s influence made me realize that is actually what I want to do with my life. It was probably the experience that developed me more as a player than ever before in my life. Over those two weeks my sound completely changed. ” Suzy Belik – French Horn, 2022 Summer Brass Intensive
Our Chamber Music Intensive, Jazz Camp, Los Angeles Brass Institute, Piano Camp Intensive, and Saxophone Intensive all return this summer. We are also thrilled to announce four new camps this summer, including the Choral Workshop, Dalcroze Summer Intensive for Music Educators, Guitar Intensive, and Los Angeles Honor Band.
We will also continue to offer private instruction over the Summer period for new and continuing students. If you have ever wanted to learn to play an instrument, or if you’re an experience musician looking to refine your skills, our faculty use their expertise to help students of all ages and ability levels develop their musicianship, technique, and confidence. We offer private instruction for beginners to advanced students in bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute and piccolo, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, and voice. If you are interested in private instruction, please submit an inquiry form.
June 18-July 1, 2023 Fabio Bidini and Micah Yui, co-directors and faculty
This two-week intensive piano program for advanced high school piano students takes place on the beautiful, world-renowned Colburn School campus in the cultural heart of downtown Los Angeles. Join acclaimed pianists for intensive study, including weekly studio classes, private lessons, and master classes. Learn more about the 2023 program.
Students may choose to live on Colburn’s campus, located across the street from Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Commuter and residential students alike will enjoy access to some of the best dining experiences, arts organizations, and venues in the country.
June 4 – 18, 2023 Robert Lipsett and Fabiola Kim, co-founders and faculty
Sounding Point Academy nurtures the next generation of soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral musicians, and pedagogues. During this two-week in-person program, students will delve into a curriculum that explores the most critical of violinistic elements. Details on 2022 program.
Students will have opportunities to perform for the world’s leading performing artists, master the intricacies of orchestral excerpts, and gain comprehensive knowledge of the technical aspects of violin performance. The program will also offer a public-speaking and movement component, highlighting the value of entrepreneurship and versatility of a complete musician.
Audition and application details for the 2023 program will be posted soon.
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Spend summer with Colburn and immerse yourself in your art!
Our summer music camps, dance camps, intensives and classes allow musicians and dancers to enhance their skills with expert instruction from Colburn’s esteemed faculty and an array of renowned guest artists.
Browse programs in ballet, tap, modern dance, piano, guitar, chamber music, jazz, voice, brass, saxophone, Los Angeles Honor Band, Dalcroze education, and more, to find the program that is right for you.
Our classes start from age 7 months and camps start from 7 years, so there is something for everyone!
Registration for music and dance camps is open now! Learn more below.
If your children are passionate about dance or are curious to try it for the first time, they have a home at the Colburn School!
Our summer dance camps and intensives invite young dancers to enhance their skills in ballet, tap, and modern, with expert instruction from our esteemed faculty and renowned guest artists.
New students can also get a taste of dance at Colburn with our Summer Saturdays classes, which are a great way to try dance for the very first time.
Browse our 2024 programs
Our summer music camps, intensives, and workshops invite young musicians to connect with musical peers, work one-on-one with experienced faculty, and interact with renowned guest artists across piano, violin, chamber music, jazz, voice, brass, saxophone, LA Honor Band, and early childhood music. We also have private summer music classes available.
Our summer camps fill up quickly, so register today!