(Tuesday, May 13, Los Angeles) – The Colburn School, one of the world’s preeminent schools for music and dance, received two major gifts to support the Community School of Performing Arts: a gift from the Rafael and Luisa de Marchena-Huyke Foundation (Rafael & Luisa DMH Foundation) to name the Director of Bands position held by Eleanor Núñez, and a gift from the Keck Foundation to name the Keck Youth Performance Fund, a fund established by a Community School family in support of performances by Community School large ensembles.
At Colburn’s Community School of Performing Arts, home to approximately 1,700 students, music education is accessible to everyone who has a passion and curiosity for music at every level of ability, from beginner to advanced. World-class teachers share their expertise with students of wide-ranging musical interests and varying ages, from seven months to adults. The Community School has a history dating back to 1950 of offering access to music education through unparalleled scholarship support and free tickets for hundreds of performances each year.
Despite this long history of access, the Rafael & Luisa DMH Foundation Director of Bands position is the first faculty chair to be named in the Community School, and is held by Eleanor Núñez, known for her unique programming that bridges the gap between the audience and musicians on stage. Her belief that music should be accessible to all shines through her creative repertoire programming, enthusiastic rehearsals, and inviting concert environment. This belief in accessibility and interest in how Ms. Nuñez demonstrates it at Colburn, is shared by the Rafael and Luisa de Marchena-Huyke Foundation.
A $2 million gift from the Keck Foundation named the Keck Youth Performance Fund, which will cover expenses associated with performances by large ensembles, including Jumpstart Bands, String Ensemble and Orchestra, Youth Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Sinfonietta, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Children’s Chorus, Youth Chorus, Concert Choir, and Jumpstart’s Musical Encounter. This fund was seeded by an initial gift from the Ward Family, which inspired the Keck Foundation to join the family in their support.
Colburn has set a goal of $5 million for this fund and will continue to seek additional gifts as part of the Building Our Future comprehensive campaign. Reaching the $5 million goal will allow the School to more fully endow large ensemble performances, keeping tuition affordable for local students and creating performance opportunities in Colburn’s new 1,000-seat concert hall, which is currently under construction. Located adjacent to the School’s existing campus, the concert hall, named for Terri and Jerry Kohl, is part of a transformational new campus expansion designed by Frank Gehry. When complete, the expansion will significantly increase Colburn’s world-class training and performance facilities for music and dance.
All three gifts underscore the crucial role that large ensembles play in the development of young musicians. By participating in these ensembles, students not only hear how their individual contributions shape the collective sound but also develop essential teamwork and collaboration skills. This experience transforms young performers into well-rounded individuals by fostering collaboration through a shared purpose. With the support of these gifts, the Community School can continue to provide the transformative musical experiences of large ensembles to students of all ages and skill levels.
“We are deeply grateful to the Rafael and Luisa de Marchena-Huyke Foundation and the Keck Foundation for their visionary support of the Community School of Performing Arts,” said Sel Kardan, President and CEO. “These generous gifts affirm the vital role that large ensemble experiences play in the artistic and personal development of young musicians. The establishment of the Rafael & Luisa DMH Foundation Director of Bands position and the Keck Youth Performance Fund ensures the continuation of meaningful musical opportunities for students from all backgrounds.”
“These gifts are a huge support to our Community School band students,” said Núñez. “Band is all about teamwork—every musician matters, every part contributes—and that sense of collaboration is what makes it so meaningful. These gifts allow us to involve more students in the band program, explore challenging repertoire with contemporary instrumentation demands, and create a stronger musical community together. I’m really excited for what’s to come.”
About Colburn School
A performing arts institution located in the heart of Los Angeles, the COLBURN SCHOOL trains students from beginners to those about to embark on professional careers. The academic units of the School provide a complete spectrum of music and dance education united by a single philosophy: that all who desire to study music or dance should have access to top-level instruction.
The diploma- and degree-granting Conservatory of Music is distinguished by a unique all-scholarship model, renowned faculty, and outstanding performance opportunities. It prepares the very highest level of collegiate musicians for professional careers.
The Music Academy is a highly selective training program for gifted young pre-collegiate musicians, designed to prepare students for conservatory study and performing careers at the highest levels of achievement. This residential program balances performance, musical instruction, and academics.
The Community School of Performing Arts welcomes students of all ages, from seven months old to adults. It offers over 120 classes each year in orchestral instruments, piano, guitar, voice, jazz, music theory, drama, and ensembles including orchestra, choir, and chamber music.
The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute develops performers of all levels, from aspiring professionals in the Dance Academy to beginners starting in Youth Dance. Students of all levels receive training in ballet, tap, and modern genres as part of a comprehensive dance education.
Created to serve all units of the School, the Center for Innovation and Community Impact empowers the musical and dance leaders of tomorrow by nurturing students’ passion and ability to serve their communities, preparing them for sustainable careers, and embracing the development of new ideas. The Center embodies Colburn’s commitment to developing young artists with the curiosity, skills, and commitment to make a difference in their field.
Each year, more than 2,000 students from around the world come to Colburn to benefit from the renowned faculty, exceptional facilities, and focus on excellence that unites the community.
In 2024, the Colburn School broke ground on the Frank Gehry-designed Colburn Center, a multi-faceted expansion of the Colburn School. Located across the street from the School’s existing campus at the intersection of Olive and Second Streets, the Colburn Center will enable the School to expand its mission of presenting programs for the public. Gehry’s design includes a 1,000-seat in-the-round concert hall named for Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall, five professional-sized dance studios including a 100-seat studio theater, and gardens that bring fresh air and green spaces to the downtown landscape. When complete, the expansion will create the largest concentration of Gehry-designed buildings in the world.
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Contacts: Jennifer Kallend jkallend@colburnschool.edu 215-622-6195
Lisa Bellamore lbellamore@gmail.com 323-500-3071
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