Community School

At the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts, we are committed to making music education accessible to everyone who has a passion and curiosity for music at every level of ability. Our world-class teachers share their expertise with students of wide-ranging musical interests and varying ages, from seven months to adults.

Located in sunny Los Angeles, the Community School offers online and in-person music lessons on many instruments—piano, strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and voice. All experience levels welcome, from beginner to advanced.

At the Community School, students join together to perform chamber music and as part of large ensembles. The school also focuses on students’ understanding of music theory. Classes cover the basics of reading pitch and rhythm. As they progress in musicality, students employ more complex analysis skills. We encourage students to combine theory with applied instruction and ensemble activities for a well-rounded educational experience.

Violinist wearing a pink turtleneck smiling with teacher sitting down

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Meet Our Faculty

John Craig Johnson
Voice Faculty

John is the recipient of many awards and holds a doctorate in vocal arts from the University of Southern California where he was honored as the outstanding DMA Vocal Arts Graduate of the Year. Dr. Johnson is an alumnus of OperaWorks and has sung with the organization in many special events. At the National Classical Singer Convention, he collaborated with OperaWorks’ founder and director, Ann Baltz, in presenting an “operavisation” workshop.

Peter Lloyd
Double Bass Faculty

One of America’s leading orchestral and chamber music artists.

Julianne Papadopoulos
Early Childhood Faculty

Before coming to Colburn, she trained as an early childhood music facilitator with Music Together in New York City, worked a music teaching mentor for the Thornton Community Engagement Program at the University of Southern California, and co-facilitated a music appreciation group for hard-of-hearing adults at the Bionic Ear Lab within the Keck School of Medicine.

Jordan Nelson, DMA
Chair, Music Theory and Aural Skills, Colburn Conservatory

Jordan Nelson is a composer of instrumental, vocal, electronic, and electro-acoustic music