Colburn School

The Colburn School is a private performing arts school in Los Angeles, founded in 1950 and named after its principal benefactor, philanthropist Frances Colburn. The Conservatory of Music, established as a degree-granting institution in 2003, provides full-tuition scholarships to all admitted students. The conservatory enrolls approximately 120 students, all of whom are performance majors. The school also operates a Music Academy (pre-college), Community School of Performing Arts, and Trudl Zipper Dance Institute. Colburn is best suited for classical musicians seeking a focused, tuition-free conservatory education in a major cultural center.

Programs and Degrees

The Colburn Conservatory of Music offers five programs, all focused on classical performance:

Undergraduate Programs:

• Bachelor of Music in Performance: Four-year degree with applied lessons, chamber ensembles, and orchestra at its core. All students are performance majors.
• Performance Diploma: For students who have not completed the academic requirements for a BM but want conservatory-level performance training.
• Performance Diploma with Conducting Emphasis: Combines performance study with conducting training.

Graduate Programs:

• Master of Music in Performance: Two-year program for students who already hold a BM or equivalent.
• Master of Music in Chamber Music: For students specializing in chamber ensemble performance.
• Artist Diploma: Advanced program with emphasis in performance, chamber music, or conducting. The conducting program is led by Esa-Pekka Salonen, who holds the Maestro Ernst H. Katz Chair of Conducting Studies.
• Professional Studies Certificate: One-year program for post-master's students seeking additional performance experience.

All students perform in the Colburn Orchestra, which emulates a professional orchestra experience with distinguished guest conductors and Music Director Yehuda Gilad. Students also perform alongside faculty and guest artists through the Colburn Chamber Music Society.

Admissions and Tuition

Colburn's conservatory admissions are highly selective. The school does not publish an exact acceptance rate, but with approximately 120 total students and small incoming classes, it is comparable to Curtis in selectivity.

Every conservatory student receives a full-tuition scholarship. For 2025-26:

• Tuition: $62,000 (covered entirely by scholarship)
• Comprehensive fee: $4,650 (students can apply for financial aid to offset this)
• Housing and meal plan: $21,300 (first and second-year undergraduates required to live on campus)
• Estimated books and supplies: $1,650
• Estimated other expenses: $6,000 (health insurance, transportation, personal)
• Total estimated scholarship and grant aid: $81,300

The application process requires prescreening recordings and a live audition. Application deadlines vary by program but typically fall in early December for fall enrollment.

Real-World Example

A violinist accepted into the BM program for fall 2026 pays $0 in tuition. The full-tuition scholarship covers the entire $62,000 annual cost. The student pays the $4,650 comprehensive fee plus $21,300 for housing and meals (required for first-year students). If the student receives financial aid to offset the comprehensive fee, out-of-pocket costs drop to approximately $21,300 per year for housing and meals. Over four years, the student saves approximately $248,000 in tuition compared to a conservatory charging $62,000 per year. The student performs in the Colburn Orchestra, studies with faculty who are members of the LA Philharmonic and LA Opera Orchestra, and has access to the Los Angeles classical music scene.

The conducting program is particularly notable. A $16.6 million gift from the Negaunee Foundation endowed the conducting program in perpetuity, led by Esa-Pekka Salonen (former Music Director of the LA Philharmonic and current conductor of the San Francisco Symphony).

Over 140 Colburn Conservatory alumni hold professional orchestra positions. Notable alumni include violinist Anne Akiko Meyers (Community School '83), concertmaster Kevin Lin (Conservatory '15, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), and the Viano String Quartet (Conservatory '21, signed to Opus 3 Artists, currently string quartet-in-residence at Curtis). Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning composer and pianist Kris Bowers is also a Colburn alumnus (Community School '06).

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Colburn is the right choice if you want Curtis-level tuition-free training but prefer Los Angeles over Philadelphia. The LA location gives you access to the LA Philharmonic, LA Opera, and a major cultural center. The conducting program under Esa-Pekka Salonen is one of the most distinctive offerings at any conservatory.

The school is exclusively focused on classical performance. There are no programs in jazz, music production, music business, popular music, or film scoring. If you want training in these areas, look at USC Thornton, UCLA, or Cal Arts instead.

The tiny student body (approximately 120) means close faculty mentoring and abundant performance opportunities, but also a narrow social circle and fewer ensemble options compared to larger schools. The faculty includes 15 full-time and 26 adjunct members, many of whom perform with the LA Philharmonic, LA Opera Orchestra, and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.

Colburn does not have the century-long history of Curtis or Juilliard, but it has built a strong reputation quickly. Its alumni placement in professional orchestras (over 140 positions) is impressive for a school that has only been granting degrees since 2003.

Visit the official Colburn Conservatory website for full audition requirements and program details.

Potential Drawbacks

• Classical performance only: No jazz, popular music, production, music business, or film scoring programs.
• Very small school: Approximately 120 conservatory students means limited social and ensemble variety.
• Limited academic offerings: Colburn is a conservatory, not a university. No dual degree options with a liberal arts college.
• Younger institution: Less established alumni network than Curtis, Juilliard, or Eastman, though this is changing rapidly.
• Housing costs: While tuition is free, LA housing is expensive. The $21,300 housing and meal plan is a significant expense.

Related Resources

• Music Schools Directory - Compare Colburn with other music schools
• Streaming Royalty Calculator - Project streaming revenue for performing artists
• Complete Guide to Making Money as a Musician in 2026 - Career planning for conservatory graduates
• 21 Ways Musicians Can Earn Income - Income strategies for performing musicians