Community School of Performing Arts Drama Chair Debbie Devine is thrilled the play she directed, Walking the Tightrope, will be featured at Center Theatre Group as part of the show's eight-city national tour.

"I'm honored to see this show produced by the largest regional theater in the United States," Ms. Devine said. Walking the Tightrope will take the stage at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City on May 2 and May 3 for two performances each day.

Walking the Tightrope, written by playwright Mike Kenny, follows the story of a grandfather who goes about building a beautiful new relationship with his five-year-old granddaughter while trying to explain that her grandmother has passed away.

In addition to the week of performances, Center Theatre Group and 24th Street Theatre, where Ms. Devine is artistic director, will host a roundtable with stakeholders and thought leaders following a student matinee. The roundtable will focus on the importance of quality, sophisticated theater for young audiences to contribute to healthy children and healthy communities.

"Theater has the power to broaden the horizons of young minds almost indelibly," Ms. Devine said. "When we introduce children to the magic of live theater, they engage personally with the stories presented to them and can develop essential emotional skills like empathy, compassion, and cross-cultural understanding."

Schools in the Los Angeles area have been invited to attend student-only matinees from April 28 to May 1, preceding the public performances that weekend.

Colburn Conservatory of Music violinist Simone Porter and students from the Colburn Music Academy and Colburn Community School of Performing Arts will perform together in a concert to benefit Center Stage Strings, a summer camp for young musicians, on May 1. The program will feature works for violin, cello, and chamber ensembles.

Simone, who recently received a 2015 Avery Fisher Career Grant, is an alumna of the camp, which was started by Conservatory of Music alumna Danielle Belen. Ms. Belen has taught violin in the Colburn Music Academy and Community School since 2009.

Ms. Belen founded the camp to develop the talents of young classical music students in the areas of solo and chamber music performance. Set in Three Rivers, California, at the foot of the sequoias, the natural beauty of the surroundings and the music intertwine to create a unique summer experience. During the camp, students take daily private lessons, participate in master classes, and attend guest artist recitals, which are open to the public. All students perform together on the last day of camp.

"The students who participate in the camp have an opportunity to focus purely on developing their talents without the distractions of everyday life," Ms. Belen said. "But along with the intensive practice and class schedule, we make sure to create time for socializing and recreation so that these young artists have a chance to get to know one another better."

The May 1 event will be held in Zipper Hall on the Colburn School campus and will be hosted by KUSC's Brian Lauritzen, who teaches courses in the adult studies program at the Colburn School. Tickets can only be purchased at CenterStageStrings.com, but current Colburn School students can purchase at a special student price of $20.

Community School of Performing Arts cello instructor Joseph Mendoes will give a free public recital on May 1 in Thayer Hall on the Colburn School campus. The program will include cello sonatas by Beethoven and Raff, and a trio by Martinů for flute, cello, and piano. "I absolutely love the Beethoven cello sonatas," Mr. Mendoes said. "I performed all of them in a concert in 2010. I feel a special connection to Beethoven's music. He was so effective at creating contrast, going from moments of tremendous violence to moments of rapt beauty, which is on full display in the sonata I will be performing."

Mr. Mendoes will be joined in his performance by pianists Esther Lee and Tae Yeon Lim, as well as his wife, flutist Jaimie Lee Mendoes. "Making music with friends is a joy, and I always love playing chamber music with my wife. Musically, we agree on so many things. It is just too bad there is not much music for cello and flute," he said.

Mr. Mendoes has been playing cello since fourth grade. His school district was one of only a few in Southern California to offer music education, but he had to choose between choir and strings. "I took home a cello and after just plucking the strings, I was hooked. There haven't been many days since when I haven't played the cello," he said. "I simply love the sound a cello can make."

As a member of the Colburn School community for many years, he studied cello and chamber music at the Community School with Dr. Richard Naill during his high school years. He was also a member of the Colburn Chamber Orchestra. In 2000, he received a scholarship to study cello at the University of Southern California with Ronald Leonard, and Mr. Mendoes graduated with honors in 2004. During his time at USC, he performed frequently as a member of the Camden String Quartet, which received the Chamber Music Award from USC in 2004. "When I first heard there was an opening at the Colburn School," he said, "I first thought I shouldn't even apply. I had dreamed of teaching here, but it was hard for me to imagine getting the chance." Mr. Mendoes was thrilled to get the position at the Colburn School. "I am so thankful for the opportunity to teach at a world-class music school," he added.

In addition to his teaching, Mr. Mendoes serves as the Cello Expert for Virtual Sheet Music, an online resource for students, where he has published many educational videos about cello technique and musicianship.

Left to right: Igor Stravinsky, Adolph Bolm and Nana Gollner. | Otto Rothschild Collection/The Music Center Archives.

The Colburn School recently established a partnership with public media outlet KCET to contribute content to their publication Artbound, a daily compendium of arts and culture journalism focused on Southern California. The first installment of the partnership appeared last Wednesday and shed light on the role of The Firebird in drawing Igor Stravinsky to make a home in Los Angeles for nearly 30 years. Visit Artbound to read it.

"The role of Artbound is not just to record, report, and broadcast the cultural stories of our time and our region; our aim is to create mechanisms—be it partnerships, projects or online tools—through which audiences can take direct action in the creation of a common narrative," the site's mission declares. As a partner to Artbound, the Colburn School will curate and create a series of long-form articles relating to music, music education, and community engagement as it relates to our work in the Los Angeles area.

With over fifty columnists and cultural critics in 11 counties of Southern California, Artbound scans the region, providing seeds of engagement through articles, videos, projects, and partners, who are narrating the cultural stories of our region.

The online publication has a companion television broadcast of the same name and features televised versions of the reporting on the site. Each week, Artbound selects two articles for a public vote. One article is supported by the magazine's editorial staff, while the other represents the article most liked and shared by Artbound readers. The vote then determines which of the two articles will be transformed into a televised Artbound segment.

Artbound has received many awards for its print and broadcast journalism, including a Los Angeles area Emmy for a story about The Industry's opera Invisible Cities, presented at Union Station via headphones. "By selecting articles that will be turned into short-format documentaries and TV episodes," the editors explain, "Artbound audiences become programmers, curators, and critics, helping us determine what is current and viable in the cultural landscape of our time."

"They're so impressionable and everything is new to them," said Huei-Yuan Pan of the students in this year's Jumpstart program, who will give their year-end recital on Saturday, May 9, at 7 pm in Zipper Hall. "Any moment could be an 'a-ha' moment."

The Jumpstart Young Musicians Program serves as an academic year continuation of the Colburn School's Summer Encounter program, in which 60 fifth and sixth grade students from 15 Los Angeles Unified School District partner schools take day-long classes in music, dance, and drama on the Colburn School campus in downtown Los Angeles. Graduates of Summer Encounter receive an invitation to join the Jumpstart program if they want to continue their music studies on campus, and the Colburn School provides them with instruments, small group lessons, and a large ensemble experience for the now 70 participating students.

Mr. Pan has served as Director of Jumpstart since it began two years ago, when the Colburn School's Drs. Robert Duke and Nathaniel Zeisler approached him with the idea of starting a program for these passionate, energetic, and curious elementary school students. "It was clear we were like-minded, passionate about teaching and learning music," Mr. Pan said. "It was just a matter of building a model that fit the Colburn School and our pre-existing programs."

His goals for the students are simple: to foster the habits of thought and behavior consistent with mature musicians, right from the beginning. This means teaching the students to play with a beautiful tone, in tune, and with the best musical practices as modeled by the program's teaching artists. "Often times, people will describe novice musicians as being 'fantastic for a group of kids,' but we want them to be fantastic, period," Mr. Pan said.

The upcoming recital will demonstrate their exceptional skills. Mr. Pan strives to choose music that pushes the students to stretch and grow as musicians while keeping what's asked of them within their grasp. He finds that including students in the music selection process is an important part of their education. "We listen to recordings of the pieces together, and students respond to short written prompts," he explained. "It's amazing how their approach to learning music changes when they have a say in the selection process. You know you've got them hooked when they write, 'I like this piece because it sounds cool!'" First year students will perform works by Sweeney, Daehn, and Smith, while second year students will perform Grundman, Ticheli, and Markowski.

"Teaching the Jumpstart Young Musicians Program students is easily a highlight for me each week," Mr. Pan said. "Between the staff, faculty, and conservatory students, it takes a village to provide them with this kind of experience. But, I never get tired of watching them light up when they finally 'get it' and seeing them forge new friendships with students from other schools is a special thing - it makes all the blood, sweat, and tears worth it."

Please visit this link to learn more about the Colburn School's community engagement programs.

The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute and the Colburn Dance Academy will celebrate the end of the academic year with two special dance performances this week.

On May 9, the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute presents the annual Spring Dance Concert featuring accomplished dancers from the Advanced Studies Ballet and Modern Dance programs. The event features new work choreographed by Kelly Ann Sloan, chair of ballet in the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, to an original composition by the Colburn School's own Musical Coordinator Michael Roberts, an original piece by Tamsin Carlson performed to the music of Arvo Pärt, and with other dynamic dances.

"The Spring Dance Concert showcases the versatility of the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute's Advanced Studies students, giving them the opportunity to perform classical pieces as well as more contemporary movement," Ms. Sloan said. "I have enjoyed collaborating with the students on a new work to highlight their strengths and give them a feeling of freedom in their ballet movement. Working with composer Michael Roberts and students from the Music Academy has been a valuable experience for the dancers and the choreographer."

Modern Dance Chair Tamsin Carlson echoed Ms. Sloan's enthusiasm. "The advanced modern students will be performing Movements I & III from Sarah Swensons's Fimmine, a technically challenging work they have spent the year mastering," Ms. Carlson said. " Another thrill will be to see the Merce Cunningham workshop students perform the "MinEvent," created by chance using phrases from Merce's work."

On May 10, Dance Academy leadership Jenifer Ringer and James Fayette present the inaugural spring performance of the Colburn Dance Academy at the Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts Concert Hall on Grand Avenue.

Dance Academy students will be performing a varied program to include several new pieces to live music. The event features world premiere choreography by former New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Philip Neal to an original composition by Dance Academy Music Director Michael Roberts, who will accompany the performers, and world premiere choreography by Ms. Sloan.

The Dance Academy performance will also feature the Grand Pas de Deux from The Sleeping Beauty, a solo from Jerome Robbins's 2 & 3 Part Inventions, and excerpts from two ballets by George Balanchine, Who Cares? and Agon.

"James and I are thrilled to be able to present this performance as an exhibition of all the hard work and growth accomplished both technically and artistically by our students this year," Ms. Ringer said. "We are very grateful for the team of teachers who worked with us to help the dancers excel, and it has been an honor to share with the students the choreography of Balanchine and Robbins."

Tickets for the Colburn Dance Academy's Class One Year-End Performance for Mother's Day at the Ballet are $10. Visit our online box office to reserve your ticket. The Trudl Zipper Dance Institute's Spring Dance Concert is free and open to the public. Visit our online calendar for more information.

The Colburn Chamber Orchestra and Colburn Youth Orchestras will take the stage in Zipper Hall on May 10 at 4 pm and 7:30 pm respectively. The two ensembles represent the flagship performance ensembles for the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts. Maestro Maxim Eshkenazy serves as music director and conductor for both orchestras.

"The students will go over some major classical repertoire while they delve into contemporary music, new music, written by someone sitting right next to them. I think that's very inspirational," Mr. Eshkenazy said. "Several of them will get a chance to play a solo with the orchestra for their first time, and that's an experience they'll never forget."

The chamber orchestra program "has a bit of an Eastern European flair," Mr. Eshkenazy said. They will perform Dvořák's beloved Serenade for Strings, an audience favorite the world over. "It's a very technical piece, but it's also very emotional. It's the best that classical and romantic music can offer, in a small package." Also on the program from existing repertoire is Tchaikovsky's Andante Cantabile for string orchestra.

Mr. Eshkenazy is pleased the chamber orchestra will perform the world premiere of Dear Igor by Community School student Sequoyah Sugiyama, which he composed specifically for this ensemble. "We have performed other pieces by Sequoyah," Mr. Eshkenazy said, "and I think he's an amazing talent with a bright future. His talent goes far beyond his age."

The youth orchestra program includes Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony in its entirety. Mr. Eshkenazy describes the work as a staple of Russian romanticism. "A lot of people think of this symphony as a purely melodic piece, but it's very advanced rhythmically," he said. "Stravinsky used to say the rhythmic complexity of Tchaikovsky was an inspiration to him, and this piece is a great example of that." The symphony's second movement features one of the biggest solos for French horn in orchestra repertoire. Works by Schumann, Chaminade, and Bruch round out the program and will feature as soloists the winners of the Community School Concerto Competition, cellist Iona Batchelder, flutist Arin Abramovich-Sarkissian, and violinist Abigel Szilagyi.

Mr. Eshkenazy is grateful to the students in these ensembles for their energy and eagerness to perform their best. "I love their enthusiasm for music," he said. "It's spectacular. I can come back to LA jetlagged, tired, but their dedication to playing well inspires me and recharges me."

Both concerts are free and open to the public. Visit our online calendar for more information.

For three days only, Steinway & Sons will offer an impressive selection of new, used, and factory-restored vertical and grand pianos for sale at the Colburn School. Steinway & Sons pianos are rarely discounted, but through this special arrangement they will be sold at prices well below retail. This exclusive event will only be open to the Colburn School patrons and registered Steinway & Sons customers.

Steinway & Sons will schedule appointments on a first-call, first-served basis, though every attempt will be made to include everyone who wishes to attend. Scheduled guests can view pianos on the Colburn School campus from Friday, May 15 through Sunday, May 17.

Steinway & Sons was founded in 1853 by German immigrant Henry Engelhard Steinway in a Manhattan loft. Over the next thirty years, Henry and his sons, C.F. Theodore, Charles, Henry Jr., William, and Albert, developed the modern piano. They built their pianos one at a time, applying skills that were handed down from master to apprentice, generation after generation.

Today, each Steinway grand piano takes nearly a year to create. Nothing is hurried. Even the woods employed in the rims, tops, soundboards, and actions cure for months in Steinway & Sons's yard, kilns, and conditioning rooms, until they stabilize at a rigidly specified moisture content.

To schedule your appointment, contact Steinway & Sons directly by visiting Steinway.com/colburnsale or calling 1-877-783-4692.

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Valley Performing Arts Center recently announced their 2015–2016 seasons, which include partnerships with the Colburn School. The Wallis announced the addition of Colburn at The Wallis: A Concert Series, a new four-concert series in the Bram Goldsmith Theater. The Colburn Orchestra will perform at the Valley Performing Arts Center twice next season with Music Director Yehuda Gilad.

Colburn at The Wallis will feature rising stars from the Colburn Conservatory of Music alongside celebrated concert artists and the Colburn School's renowned faculty. The series marks the Colburn School's first formal performing presence on the Westside.

Highlights include pianist and current Colburn artist-in-residence Jean-Yves Thibaudet (October 30), cellist Gary Hoffman (November 7), and the Principal Brass Quintet of the New York Philharmonic (April 10) performing alongside Colburn School students and faculty in Colburn Chamber Music Society programs. The Colburn Orchestra (March 6) under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Yehuda Gilad will feature double bass soloist Mikyung Soung performing Haydn's Cello Concerto in C Major. The four Colburn School concerts at The Wallis are derived from the two flagship concert series of the Colburn School, the Colburn Chamber Music Society and the Colburn Orchestra series.

"The Colburn School is delighted to partner with the Wallis to bring our gifted young artists, brilliant faculty, and distinguished guest artists to perform for new audiences in this magnificent venue," Colburn School President and CEO Sel Kardan said. "We thank Chairman of the Board Jerry Magnin at The Wallis for his vision in creating a rewarding relationship between our two institutions, and we look forward to working together in seasons to come."

Subscription packages are available from The Wallis beginning May 7, 2015. Single tickets will be made available for purchase at a later date. For tickets and information visit thewallis.org or call The Wallis Ticket Services at 310-746-7000.

The Colburn School's flagship ensemble, the Colburn Orchestra, led by Music Director Yehuda Gilad, returns to the Valley Performing Arts Center's Great Hall for the first time in nearly three years, performing two concerts in the 2015–2016 season. Concert pianist and new Colburn faculty member Fabio Bidini will perform Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto (September 27) as a grand celebration of his appointment to the newly-endowed Carol Grigor Piano Chair. In the spring, Yehuda Gilad will lead the orchestra in an all-Beethoven program of the Leonore Overture No. 3 and his iconic Ninth Symphony (April 3).

Visit The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Valley Performing Arts Center for more information on these events and series.

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Jazz soloists and ensembles in the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts were honored in DownBeat magazine's 38th Annual DownBeat Student Music Awards across the categories of jazz soloist, small jazz combo, original composition, and jazz arrangement. All award recipients will be featured in the magazine's June issue. The awards are considered among the most prestigious honors in jazz education, and Colburn School jazz students are frequently among the recipients.

"We have had a very nice run in recent years," said Lee Secard, director of the Colburn School's jazz program. "For at least the last four years we have received on average about five or six DownBeat awards per year, which is a remarkable achievement by our students. I am tremendously pleased for their performance success and recognition."

Winners and outstanding performers receive the honors based on their type of study, and all Colburn School honorees competed in the Performing Arts High School division. In the Jazz Soloist category, tenor saxophonist Max Lesser was awarded Winner for the second year in a row, and drummer Alex Smith was recognized with the Outstanding Performances award. The Thursday Night Band and Monday Night Band received Winner and Outstanding Performances awards, respectively, both under the direction of Lee Secard.

Luca Mendoza was recognized as Winner for his composition "Ophelia" in the Original Composition—Small Ensemble category, and in the same category Corey Gordon received the award for Outstanding Composition for "Leaving the Cave." For his arrangement of "A Child is Born," Ethan Moffitt was honored as Winner in the Jazz Arrangement category. Ethan was also interviewed in DownBeat's segmen, "Young Arrangers Embrace Creativity." Ethan explained to DownBeat, "I'm also a classical double bassist and do a lot of arco, so I wanted something that could mix both worlds." This year's Jazz Arrangement winners comprised three double bassists and a trombonist, most of whom looked to legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson for inspiration. Ethan's inspiration for his arrangement of Thad Jones' "A Child is Born" came from an Oscar Peterson recording of the same piece. "I thought there were some really cool voicings in there and that I could maybe pull some out to help me with the horn parts," Ethan told DownBeat.

"I encourage my students to write," Lee Secard said in the same interview. "My encouragement to Ethan was to stretch out and take some chances. I think he absolutely nailed it."

"Our program continues to be one of the top training programs for jazz musicians in the nation," said Community School Dean Robert McAllister. "Our faculty understand how to help students move themselves to the next level of playing. They are exceptional musicians."

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Esteemed pianist and radio host Christopher O'Riley joins Colburn School President and CEO Sel Kardan in conversation on May 18 as part of the Colburn School's Sidley Austin Artspeaks series. Mr. O'Riley will be joined by Community School of Performing Arts violin student Kevin Miura, who studies with Danielle Belen, for a short performance to open the show.

Mr. O'Riley has performed as a soloist with virtually all of the major American orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, and San Francisco Symphony. In addition, he has performed recitals throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. Mr. O'Riley received the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant in 1982.

The Artspeaks lecture series allowed performing arts luminaries to share forward thinking perspectives on the arts scene in an up-close and personal setting. Mr. O'Riley is the final guest of the 2014–2015 season, which included National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Jane Chu, celebrated international pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, and arts education leaders Jonathan Herman and Margie Reese.

Mr. O'Riley strives to introduce new audiences to classical music with an almost missionary zeal by performing piano arrangements of music by Radiohead, Elliott Smith, Pink Floyd, and Nirvana alongside traditional classical repertoire. "I think there's good music and bad music, and genre distinctions have only been a matter of concern of late," Mr. O'Riley said. "Mozart and Beethoven played popular music during their time." He has performed recitals featuring these arrangements at such diverse venues as the Istanbul Jazz Festival, Highline Ballroom (NYC), the Knitting Factory (LA), and South by Southwest (Austin, TX).

Now in his fifteenth year on air as the host of NPR's From the Top, Mr. O'Riley introduces the next generation of classical-music stars to almost a million listeners each week, highlighting performances by musicians between the ages of eight and 18. "Young musicians explore much more widely in their genre-choices, mostly for pleasure, and, as a result of the compelling quality and integrity and beauty of some of those found musical kindred spirits, they may choose to embrace a broader repertoire," he said. Kevin Miura was a guest on the show in March 2015.

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On May 17, the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute in the Community School of Performing Arts will present the Children's Dance Showcases in Zipper Hall. Performances will feature tap, jazz, and musical theater at 2 pm and 5:30 pm.

The 2 pm showcase highlights dancers who are 13 years old and younger who have participated in classes in tap, jazz, or musical theater. "With our younger dancers, we start with shorter pieces so they can learn to be on stage and get familiar with the steps," said Denise Scheerer, chair of tap, jazz, and musical theater. The showcase includes a variety of musical styles. "We like to vary the music so it makes for an interesting show," Ms. Scheerer added. "It all melds together so beautifully."

Joining these students will be dancers from the Apprentice Group, which are among the most advanced dancers in school's tap program. "We want parents to see where continued study of dance can take their children artistically, athletically, and professionally," Ms. Scheerer said.

The 5:30 pm showcase features primarily high school–age students who have more dance experience. Dancers include memberes of the Colburn Tap Ensemble and the Apprentice Group, as well as students from the upper level jazz and musical theater courses. The Tap Ensemble will perform two pieces taught to them by guest choreographers Sarah Reich and Steve Zee. Mr. Zee's piece is a premiere performance. The Apprentice Group will dance to the Ray Brown song "Gravy Waltz," while musical theater students will perform selections from West Side Story and 42nd Street.

"If you're going to be a musical theater artist, you need to have tap and jazz experience," Ms. Scheerer said. "And if you're tap dancer, you live in the jazz world, though you can tap to anything, really." The overlap and interplay of these forms of music and dance offers students artistic breadth of experience.

The showcases are a significant moment for these young dancers, some of whom are taking the stage for the first time this semester. Ms. Scheerer said a dancer's training can be challenging, requiring a great deal of focus and practice on a specific piece with one or two opportunities to dance for an audience. "They love to perform," Ms. Scheerer said. "They love to get into costume and onto the stage. It's a benchmark for them, a prize for all their hard work."

The Children's Dance Showcases are free and open to the public.

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On Sunday, May 10, 2015, the Calla Quartet from the Colburn Conservatory of Music and the Incendium Quartet from the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts took home prizes at the Fischoff Competition. This year, 49 groups competed across junior and senior divisions in string and wind chamber music.

Held each year in South Bend, Indiana, the Fischoff Competition is the largest chamber music competition in the world. Each year, an average of 125 ensembles, representing 22 nationalities, enter in either the wind or string categories of three to six performers. Fischoff is the only national chamber music competition with both senior divisions for ages 18–35 and a junior division for musicians age 18 and younger. Since its founding, more than 6,600 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.

The Conservatory of Music's Calla Quartet, with violinists Michaela Wellems and Amelia Dietrich, violist Aiden Kane, and cellist Karissa Zadinsky, received the Senior String Division Silver Medal and a prize of $3,000. The Calla Quartet is coached by Martin Beaver and Clive Greensmith.

The Incendium Quartet of the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts won the Junior String Division First Place Medal and scholarship of $2,300. The Incendium Quartet comprises violinists Geneva Lewis and Mei Zhan, violist Emma Wernig, and cellist Atticus Mellor-Goldman, and is coached by Aimée Kreston.

The Zorá String Quartet from Bloomington, Indiana, won the Grand Prize and String Senior Division Gold Medal. The Mirasol Quartet from Lubbock, Texas, won the Gold Medal in the Senior Wind Division.

Visit fischoff.org/news/ to view the full list of prize winners.

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Colburn Conservatory of Music alumnus Sang Yoon Kim won First Prize and Best Performance of a Contemporary Piece in the clarinet division of the 2015 Prague Spring International Music Competition, which included 190 of the top young musicians from around the world.

Mr. Kim studied with Yehuda Gilad at the Colburn Conservatory, graduating in 2014 with an Artist Diploma, and made his solo debut at Walt Disney Concert Hall performing the Copland Clarinet Concerto with the Colburn Orchestra. He is a member of Colburn Artists, a roster of the Colburn School's most gifted Conservatory and Music Academy students on the cusp of launching major solo or chamber music careers.

"I am so proud of Sang Yoon's performance, as I am thrilled for all of my remarkable students," Mr. Gilad said. "He is a very special musician and I am sure he will continue his amazing growth. He has become not only a great clarinetist, but more importantly a beautiful artist. Bravo!"

The Prague Spring International Music Competition is held every year in conjunction with the Prague Spring International Music Festival. The competition features two different instruments each year, and the world's most talented young clarinetists and flutists competed in this year's event.

Over 400 flute and clarinet candidates applied to participate in the competitio. The final rounds, taking place on May 12 for flute and May 14 for clarinet, featured four musicians with orchestral accompaniment. Clarinetists in the final round with Mr. Kim included Franck Russo of France, Anna Paulová of the Czech Republic, and Horácio Ferreira of Portugal.

At just 26 years old, Kim won first prize at the 2014 UNISA competition, an award that includes a concert tour of South Africa and a 2015 performance with the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra and conductor Gustavo Dudamel. Mr. Kim also won first prize at the 2012 Jacques Lancelot International Clarinet Competition. An active chamber musician, Mr. Kim has performed with renowned artists including members of the Ebéne Quartet and pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Robert Levin.

Visit colburnschool.edu/colburnartists or sangyoonkim.com for more information about Mr. Kim's career and achievements. Visit this link for more information about the festival and competition. Visit this link to view Mr. Kim's performance from the finals of the competition.

With the close of the academic year, graduating seniors taking classes in the Music Academy will spend the next several months preparing for the next phase of their professional development: college and conservatory music study. This year's graduates will attend schools across the United States, including many of the top music programs in the country.

"This is such an important moment for our students," said Music Academy Dean Ory Shihor. "All the work they've put into their time at the Music Academy helped prepare them for this next step in their music education."

The Music Academy's program prepares talented pre-college musicians for conservatory-level training and careers as well-rounded musicians. The curriculum includes classes in music theory, chamber music, music history, and presentational skills, as well as private lessons. Many students have the opportunity to take master classes with visiting faculty. Last year's guest artists included violinist Laurent Korcia, violist Kim Kashkashian, and cellist Hans Jørgen Jensen.

Eleven students graduated from the Music Academy this year and will continue to develop their artistry at the Colburn Conservatory of Music, The Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, the Peabody Institute at The Johns Hopkins University, the University of Southern California, DePaul University, and the University of Michigan.

"All of the experiences I've had at the Colburn Music Academy have allowed me to grow as a musician and a performer, to take what I've accomplished in the practice room out onto the stage," said recent graduate Hannah Geisinger, a violist who will study at Juilliard in the fall. "This has been a groundbreaking experience for me."

As they reflect on their time at the Music Academy and prepare to move forward, these Colburn alumni have important advice for prospective students. "There's so much you can do with your time at the Colburn School and in Los Angeles," said violist Lauren Siess, also attending Juilliard this fall. "There are so many opportunities. Take advantage of all of them.

"We are so proud of our graduates and wish them all the best as they move forward," Mr. Shihor said.

A complete list of graduates and their destinations follows.

Cellist Katrina Agate, undecided at press time
Bassist Nicholas Arrendondo, Colburn Conservatory of Music
Clarinetist Wonchan Doh, The Juilliard School
Pianist Yi-Chen Feng, Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University
Violist Hannah Geisinger, The Juilliard School, Kovner Fellow
Violist Mya Greene, University of Southern California
Cellist Oliver Herbert, Curtis Institute of Music
Violinist Alina Kobialka, DePaul University
Violist Lauren Siess, The Juilliard School, Kovner Fellow
Violinist Yu Chao Weng, University of Michigan
Violinist Mei Zhan, Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

On May 17, students enrolled in the Community School of Performing Arts's Honors Chamber Ensembles will perform at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in the Sundays Live performance series, a staple of the city's classical music scene attended by 25,000 people each year and heard by thousands more online.

The four groups on the upcoming Sundays Live auditioned to become Honors Ensembles, and each student received full scholarships from the Community School to participate in the program. One of the groups, the Incendium Quartet, just returned to Los Angeles after their very exciting gold medal win in the junior division of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. The Incendium Quartet includes violinists Geneva Lewis and Mei Zhan, violist Emma Wernig, and cellist Atticus Mellor-Goldman.

"I am so incredibly proud of these students and what they have achieved together," said their chamber music coach Aimée Kreston. "I knew from the beginning these students had something magical together. It has been an honor to coach them and I am so grateful for all of the support we have received."

Also on the program is the Honors Woodwind Quintet, coached by Karen Lundgren; the Honors Brass Quintet, coached by Darren Mulder; and the Honors Piano Trio, coached by Jacob Braun. The woodwind quintet includes students Roger Justo, Enoch Park, Anita Ho, Maggie O'Leary, and Brian Jan; the brass quintet, Christopher Armstrong, Christopher Pak, Shane Conley, Cole Davis, and Kevin Iaquinto; and the piano trio Hao Zhou, Ethan Sandman, and Nicholas Mendez.

Begun in 1948, Sundays Live is the longest running live music broadcast in Los Angeles. Professional and emerging musicians perform on the stage of LACMA's Bing Theater 50 Sundays each year. These free programs are streamed live on lacma.org and heard on kusc.org as a podcast throughout the week.

"Sundays Live is the perfect opportunity to experience performances by all of these amazing young artists," said Assistant Dean Sara Hiner. "I have no doubt they are about to embark on incredibly exciting and rewarding careers. We could not be more proud of these dedicated young artists and all that they have achieved."

"Sundays Live is celebrating a very special milestone, our 25th anniversary at LACMA," said Bill Vestal, Artistic Director of Sundays Live. "The Colburn Community School of Performing Arts is an essential part of that musical legacy. Community School students have performed in LACMA's Bing Theater as a part of Sundays Live during each of those 25 years. And we wouldn't be here today without the participation of the Colburn School for a quarter of a century."

If you miss Sunday's concert, you can hear the Honors Piano Trio and Honors Woodwind Quintet on the Community School's spring Honors Recital on Sunday, May 31 at 3 pm in Zipper Hall.

The Colburn School congratulates these 15 Conservatory of Music students and alumni on their important achievements. For more news about these and other students, follow our Facebook page or Twitter feed for up-to-the-minute reports.

The Calla Quartet won the Senior String Division Silver Medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition earlier this month. The award includes a cash prize of $3,000. The quartet members include violinists Michaela Wellems and Amelia Dietrich, violist Aiden Kane, and cellist Karissa Zadinsky, all current Conservatory of Music students in the Bachelor of Music program.

Clarinetist Ben Adler (Artist Diploma '15) won the Assistant Principal, 2nd and E-flat Clarinet position at the Milwaukee Symphony. He begins in September.

Clarinetist Samuel Almaguer (Bachelor of Music '13) won a one-year position as the Principal Clarinetist of the North Carolina Symphony.

Hornist Rachel Childers (Artist Diploma '09) accepted a faculty position at the New England Conservatory and will begin teaching there in the fall of this year. She will remain the John P. II and Nancy S. Eustis chair at the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Trumpeter Ryan Darke (Professional Studies Certificate '13) won the Principal Trumpet position at the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra. He will begin performing with them in the fall of this year.

Violist Xavier Jeannequin (Artist Diploma '14) won the Co-Principal Viola position with the Orchestra National des Pays de la Loire. He began performing with them in February.

Violinist Youjin Lee (current Performance Diploma student) won third prize in the Menutsugu Angel International Violin Competition in March.

Cellist Mindy Park (Artist Diploma '14) joined the faculty of the Music Institute of Chicago.

Violinist Simone Porter (current Performance Diploma student) was invited to join the Opus 3 roster of artists. The organization will provide her professional management services to guide her career.

Violinist Eduardo Rios (current Bachelor of Music student) won the First Place Laureate prize in the Senior Division of the 2015 Sphinx Competition.

Violinist Marisa Sorajja (Artist Diploma '09) won the Associate Principal, Violin II position at the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra. She begin performing with them in the fall of this year.

Violist Yi Zhou (Artist Diploma '14) won the Principal Viola position at the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra. He will remain the Principal Violist of the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra.

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Some of the top performing students from the Community School of Performing Arts will take the stage May 31 in a concert highlighting their skill, musicality, artistry and dedication to their musical studies.

After nomination by the faculty juries at the weekly Friday Night Recitals, students audition for the Honors Recital judges, who then determine the final lineup for the event. Of the 44 students who participated in nearly seven hours of auditions this month, eight soloists and two ensembles won spots on this semester's recital program.

The musicians in the spring Honors Recital represent the Community School's strings, piano, winds, and voice departments. In addition to their applied studies, many of them are also enrolled in orchestras, band, choir, chamber ensembles, and music theory classes. "Students such as the ones represented in this recital are fully engaged and committed to achieving their utmost potential," said Dean Robert McAllister, "and their involvement in multiple classes and ensembles allows them to excel to the highest levels."

Performers range from 14 to 18 years old, hail from both Los Angeles and Orange counties, and come from a variety of backgrounds. "I am proud that our Community School is able to provide top level arts instruction to students from all walks of life," said Assistant Dean Sara Hiner. "Our Honors Recital is a beautiful example of this. The students representing the Community School in this recital come from a variety of neighborhoods and economic backgrounds, attend private schools and public schools, and are enrolled in multiple programs within the Community School."

Several students in the program are recipients of merit scholarships, financial aid, or are in the Herbert Zipper Scholars program. Now completing its second year, the Herbert Zipper Scholarship provides full scholarship support to dedicated students with high potential and high financial need, for study in the Community School.

Many of the students performing on the program have garnered a number of honors and wonderful accomplishments this year.

In the Honors Woodwind Quintet, oboist Enoch Park (age 18) will attend Stanford University, clarinetist Anita Ho (age 17) will attend the University of Michigan, and hornist Brian Jan (age 17) will attend the University of Southern California in the fall. Flutist Roger Justo (age 16) is the recipient of the Sierra Summer Festival's 2015 Horton-Kohl Award, where he will make his solo debut with the Sierra Summer Festival Orchestra this summer. And bassoonist Maggie O'Leary (age 18) was the recipient of a National YoungArts Award and will attend the Curtis Institute of Music in the fall.

Vocalist Breanna Flores (age 16) received the Music Center's Spotlight Promise Award and will attend Boston University's Young Artists Vocal Program at the Tanglewood Institute this summer. Violinist Thompson Wang (age 15) won First Prize in Junior Chamber Music's Young Artists Concerto Competition. Pianist Alisha Yan (age 18) will attend Dartmouth College in the fall. Cellist Claire Park (age 14) advanced to the quarter finals of the National Fischoff Competition with her string quartet. Violinist Geneva Lewis (age 16) made her solo debut with the Pasadena Symphony and won the gold medal with the Honors String Quartet at the National Fischoff Competition. Violinist Abigel Szilagyi (age 16) was a semi-finalist in the Music Center's Spotlight Awards. And pianist Daniel Lee (age 17) was awarded a scholarship from the Music Teachers' Association of California.

In the Honors Piano Trio, violinist Hao Zhou (age 18) was named a Laureate Finalist in the ASTA National Solo Competition and will attend the Colburn Conservatory in the fall. Pianist Nicholas Mendez (age 16) was a semi-finalist in the Music Center's Spotlight Awards. And cellist Ethan Sandman (age 18) was a winner of the Colburn School's Concerto Competition and will attend the Peabody Institute in the fall.

The program includes pieces by classical composers like Verdi, Mendelssohn, and Schumann alongside twentieth century works by Barber, Ravel, Rachmaninoff, and Nielsen. Following the performance, there will be a reception in honor of these students in the Colburn Café. For more information about the program, visit the calendar on our website.

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Last Saturday, the Community School of Performing Arts bade farewell to 110 students graduating from high school at the annual Senior Recognition Event.

This year's senior speaker was trombonist Nicholas Lee, who participated in the jazz and orchestra programs in the Community School during his entire high school career as a member of the Colburn Youth Orchestra and the Colburn Jazz Workshop's award-winning Monday Night Band and Big Band. Along with more than 10% of the Community School's graduating class, Nicholas was also enrolled at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. In his speech to the senior class, Nicholas referenced Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford University commencement address in which he spoke about connecting the dots. "I think it relates to the graduating seniors here today," Nicholas said, "especially those who are pursuing a career in the arts." Nicholas went on to say that "It is your parents, programs like Colburn, and your peers that give you more dots to trust, a few more risks to take, and the confidence to follow your heart. You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards."

Half of Nicholas's graduating class will major in music in the fall and 94% will go on to a four-year university or conservatory. Twelve students plan to pursue double majors, seven will be at Ivy League institutions, and 11 will attend a conservatory, including the Colburn Conservatory of Music. Overall, Community School students will be in the freshman class at 63 different institutions in twenty states and three countries.

"I am so proud of our senior class and their many impressive accomplishments," said Dean Robert McAllister, who led the event with Colburn School President Sel Kardan and Assistant Dean Sara Hiner. "Our students leave with a passion for learning, a drive to succeed, and the commitment to serious study. These are skills they can take with them no matter what professional path they may choose."

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