Peter Wardle

The Colburn School provides young people who possess a passion for music, dance, and drama access to quality instruction so they may further explore their interests and continue developing their talents. Our renowned faculty, including professional performers from nationally and internationally acclaimed companies, guide you through classes appropriate and catered to your age and skill level. Young beginners in the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts start by mastering the basics and build confidence with each new level of achievement. High school students hone their skills in the Colburn Music or Dance Academies, and college-age students prepare for careers in the performing arts through diploma and degree programs at the Colburn Conservatory of Music. Every year our students and faculty present hundreds of free or affordable performances in our beautiful, professional theaters on campus as well as in prestigious venues around Los Angeles. In fact, the Colburn School is conveniently located at the center of the thriving downtown arts corridor. We’re surrounded by the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, The Music Center, and Grand Performances at California Plaza. Also in the neighborhood are the Museum of Contemporary Art and Los Angeles Public Library. Our staff and faculty are committed to bringing music performances and education into the greater community so others can experience the many benefits associated with the performing arts. The Colburn School partners with 15 Los Angeles Unified School District schools, 13 of which receive Title I funding, providing interactive and engaging concerts and instructional sessions to 5,000 students every year. Our goal is to accommodate students in developing a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts whenever possible without the constraints of financial concerns. We award $500,000 need-based scholarships to the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts every year.