In June, world-renowned conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen, Colburn’s Maestro Ernst H. Katz Chair of Conducting Studies and Head of the Negaunee Conducting Program, led the Ojai Festival’s 80th anniversary celebration to widespread press attention. The festival featured the Colburn Orchestra under Salonen’s baton, alongside Salonen Conducting Fellows Mert Yalniz and Aleksandra Melaniuk; Colburn alumni violinists Leila Josefowicz and Geneva Lewis, and flutist Rose Lombardo; and LA Dance Project, which premiered a new work choreographed by Janie Taylor, Artistic Director of Colburn’s Trudl Zipper Dance Institute. Meanwhile, media coverage of Colburn’s Frank Gehry-designed extension which is set to open in 2027, continued to generate excitement.

The New Yorker, June 15: Gustavo Dudamel and James Conlon Bid LA Goodbye. Two progressive conductors depart, but Frank Gehry’s legacy to the city is growing

San Francisco Classical Voice, June 16: With Salonen, Ojai Festival’s 80th Run is a Standout

Wall Street Journal, June 18: Ojai Music Festival 2026 Review: A Triumphant 80th Anniversary. With Esa-Pekka Salonen as this year’s music director, the festival saw an exhilarating return to its essence.

The Strad, June 19: Open-eared and wide-eyed: experience Ojai Festival via livestream

Musical America, June 19: Salonen’s Ojai 2026, Part I

LA Times, June 23: Esa-Pekka Salonen returns to Ojai Music Festival for extraordinary 80th anniversary

In May 2026, we celebrated the success of our students at the Fischoff Competition, where the Music Academy’s Alpaca Quartet won gold in the junior string division, and the Colburn Conservatory’s Trio Caspar won gold in the senior string division.

The Strad, May 11: Winners Announced for the 2026 Fischoff Competition

Violinst.com, May 11: Winners Announced in the 2026 Fischoff Chamber Competition

 

In April 2026, Colburn’s annual Gala was in the news, as we honored philanthropists Cathy and Peter Halstead as Civic Honorees, and cellist David Finckel and pianist Wu Han as Artistic Honorees.

The Violin Channel, April 7: Cellist David Finckel and Pianist Wu Han Honored at 2026 Colburn School Gala

 

In February 2026, KTLA5’s Megan Telles spent a morning with Colburn faculty and students from the Choirs at Colburn, as part of their School Spirit Spotlight Series:

February 25, 6:45 am: Interviews with Donna Yoo, Adrian Dunn, and Choir students

February 25, 8:35 am: Interviews with Adrian Dunn and Choir students

February 25, 10:35 am: Interviews with Adrian Dunn and Choir students

 

In January 2026, Colburn’s Ensemble in Residence, Trio Azura, were interviewed by The Strad after being selected as Young Concert Artists’ (YCA) first ensemble in residence.

The Strad, January 16: Taking the next step: an interview with Trio Azura

 

 

In December 2025, extraordinary Colburn student Ray Ushikubo performed a recital marking his debut on a remarkable instrument, the c. 1741 “Playfair” Violin, an outstanding example of the work of Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri “del Gesù,” crafted in Cremona, Italy. CBS News and CNN interview Ray on the eve of his debut. 

CBS News, December 3: Violinist shows off his talent while playing a historic instrument 

CNN, December 3: 24-year-old artist plays with a 284-year-old violin 

 

 

In November 2025, Colburn’s Chamber Music Players and free concerts were in the spotlight, plus a live broadcast with ABC7 from Colburn’s Grand Avenue balcony during the L.A. Dodgers Parade.  

LA Times, November 25: “A viola week downtown infused everything from Brahms to a symposium on a Korean composer” 

LA Times, November 24: “At 24, this ‘extraordinary’ L.A. musician gets to play a violin older than the United States” 

Secret Los Angeles, November 18: “How To Start Your Magical Classical Music Journey In LA—With Dozens of Free Concerts For Beginners” 

ABC7 live broadcast from Colburn during Dodger’s Parade, November 3: ABC7 Dodgers Parade Broadcast