As the calendar turns to August, students, faculty, and families prepare to start a new year at Colburn. With the start of the school year, we are happy to announce new roles for two of our esteemed faculty members who are committed to educating the next generation of artists.
Advancing the Music Academy
For nearly 10 years, Margaret Batjer has inspired Music Academy students as a teacher and director of the Academy Virtuosi, an exceptional conductorless chamber orchestra which has been featured in performances alongside major artists like Anne Akiko Meyers and Ray Chen. Now, she’ll expand on those experiences as Director of the Music Academy and will join the Conservatory of Music’s distinguished violin faculty.
Batjer’s résumé as a highly accomplished violinist — soloing with many orchestras and an active career as a chamber musician and recording artist— provides a rich background to share with aspiring young artists.
For over 25 years she has been concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, where she is also director of chamber music. Her performance and teaching experience, which also includes teaching at the USC Thornton School of Music, will assist students in preparing for the next level in their performing arts education.
“She has a deep understanding of what exceptional young artists need at the pre-college stage of their development and her vision will undoubtedly enhance our Music Academy, solidifying its position as the foremost training ground for exceptional pre-collegiate musicians,” said Colburn President and CEO Sel Kardan.
The Music Academy trains exceptional pre-college classical musicians from around the world for careers in music. Students benefit from a comprehensive curriculum, including private instruction, music theory and history, and enrichment studies in career development and personal presentation skills. As director, Batjer will be hands-on with the artistic and academic development of students as well as planning performances, including chamber music.
“I am honored to assume leadership of Colburn’s world-class Music Academy and to join the exceptional string faculty in the Conservatory of Music,” said Batjer. “It is a privilege to guide and inspire young musicians within such a prestigious institution, known for its commitment to artistic excellence in music education. I look forward to continuing to foster a community where young artists can thrive and fulfill their potential in the world of classical music.”
Taking the Lead at the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute
Janie Taylor has curated an eclectic career. She danced for the New York City Ballet, including as soloist and principal dancer. She has performed a vast repertoire, from George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, and Jerome Robbins to Benjamin Millepied, Peter Martins, and Justin Peck.
In 2014, Taylor retired from NYCB and transitioned into a répetitéur role setting works at the Paris Opera Ballet as well as numerous other companies: Miami City Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Dutch National Ballet, Ballett Dortmund, and Ballet du Rhin. She even delved into the world of costume design, assisting Christopher Wheeldon for the Fashion Forward exhibition at the Musee des Arts Decoratif in Paris.
When Taylor chose Los Angeles as her new home base in 2016, she became rehearsal director for L.A. Dance. Fortunately, she also joined the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute as an instructor and visiting artist, guiding, influencing, and challenging students. Last year, she choreographed and premiered Contour and Flight for the Dance Academy, a rigorous pre-professional ballet training program.
This year, she’s assuming yet another role as TZDI Artistic Director for the 2024–25 school year. As Artistic Director, she will foster a dynamic environment and shape the creative and educational direction for TZDI, including curriculum development and faculty and student recruitment. She’ll be supported by Gavin Kelley as Interim Administrative Director, who will liaise with faculty, students, parents, and staff as well as coordinate events, performances, and other TZDI initiatives.
“We are excited to welcome Janie Taylor as Artistic Director as she continues and expands her exceptional work with our students. Her decade-long commitment to dance in LA and breadth of artistic experience made her a natural fit for this position,” said Kardan. “She joins our distinguished artistic and administrative team, including faculty chairs Kelly Ann Sloan, Denise Scheerer, and Tamsin Carlson, ensuring strong ongoing leadership for the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute.”
“I am so honored to follow in the footsteps of such elevated artists that I looked up to as a young dancer and eventually shared the stage with. I am thrilled to become a part of this special community and look forward to shaping and growing this exciting next chapter of dance at Colburn,” said Taylor.