Pros
The Colburn School is a real jewel in Downtown Los Angeles. It has an incredible creative vibe. There are two parts to the school. There is a conservatory with world class students from all over the world. The Colburn School of Performing Arts is a community based school with students from 18 months old on in to adulthood. The faculty is also world class with many who are current or former performers with the LA Philharmonic and the LA Opera. The buildings are beautiful and well kept with a new addition just having been completed last year. The Colburn School is a well kept secret that more people need to know about.
Cons
The Colburn School has recently gone from a small school, to a large institution. The new buildings have quadrupled the size of the campus. Many new managers and faculty members were brought in within a relatively short period of time. New positions were created and new policies had to be instituted. As with any organization, this has resulted in growing pains. The roles of upper management are being sorted out, people are coming and going, an identity is being forged. It is difficult to go from a small intimate environment to a new and larger foot print. While the level of education has not suffered (rather it has improved some) this has had an effect on many of the workers.