Colburn Alumni Shine at Ojai Music Festival

It’s always a special occasion when Colburn graduates return as guest artists, whether it’s to play in one of our own performance halls on campus or at another venue in Southern California.  

At last month’s Ojai Music Festival, several Colburn alumni took to the stage. Violinist Geneva Lewis performed in the U.S. premiere of Drømmelogikk, composed by Esa-Pekka Salonen, Colburn’s Director of Conducting, Negaunee Conducting Program, and Maestro Ernst H. Katz Chair of Conducting Studies. Fellow violinist Leila Josefowicz joined the Colburn Orchestra for the festival’s finale, in a performance that earned rave reviews. “Salonen brought back the concerto with Josefowicz and the Colburn Orchestra in a performance that has to be heard (and seen!) to be believed for its fantastic virtuosity, whimsical weirdness, and Josefowicz’s absorption of music into her body,”—The Los Angeles Times 

Salonen Fellows Mert Yalniz and Aleksandra Melanuik joined Salonen on the conductors’ podium for a performance with the LA Phil New Music Group. 

Additionally, flutist Rose Lombardo was among the musicians performing alongside L.A. Dance Project for a piece commissioned for the festival and choreographed by Trudl Zipper Dance Institute Artistic Director Janie Taylor. Lombardo also performed at a couple of the festival’s morning concerts.  

“The 80th Ojai Music Festival was a very special experience for me as it was my first year being a part of the festival, challenging me with new and exciting repertoire to perform,” she says. “And it brought me together with so many friends and colleagues who I hadn’t seen in years, including Nate Zeisler (Colburn Provost) and the Colburn Orchestra. The orchestra played a beautiful performance of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite at Libbey Bowl, which happens to be one of the last pieces I performed with the Colburn Orchestra years ago. It was truly a full circle moment to see them perform this piece, and I was delighted to hear all of the gorgeous wind solos! 

“Performing incredible repertoire with the Colburn Orchestra was essential in preparing [me] to lead in an orchestra with my sound,” she adds.  

While still studying at the Colburn Conservatory, Lombardo was named principal flute of the San Diego Symphony in 2011, and since graduating in 2012, she has performed as an orchestral, chamber, and solo artist, including as the featured chamber artist with La Jolla Music Society’s Summerfest since 2019. 

“Colburn helped prepare me for my career by providing me with the resources I needed to grow my musical skills and confidence,” says Lombardo. “Being immersed in a community where everyone is fully dedicated to honing their craft was extremely motivating.  

“Of course, my lessons with Jim Walker (former Conservatory faculty member) are some of my most meaningful life memories. Our time together was profoundly influential. He gave me the confidence I needed to believe that I could become the musician I wanted to be,” says Lombardo.  

Keeping Up with Colburn Alumni 

Our students dedicate themselves to learning their art, advancing their talent, and building friendships during their days at the Colburn School. They become integral members of the Colburn family, and as such, we’re always pleased to share their professional accomplishments. Visit our Alumni News website for the latest updates on what’s happening with Colburn graduates.