Community School of Performing Arts and Trudl Zipper Dance Institute 2026-27 Scholarship Application

The Colburn Community School of Performing Arts and Trudl Zipper Dance Institute welcome students of all ability and experience levels. We recognize that some students may require financial support to cover the cost of their studies. In this case, we offer Need-Based Financial Scholarships for fall and spring semesters.

Need-Based Financial Scholarships are issued on a sliding scale based on financial need, and they cover 10-90% of the tuition. Students must re-apply for Need-Based Financial Scholarships each year.

In the Community School of Performing Arts, students may apply the award towards:

• A maximum of two group classes, including ensembles OR
• Applied private instruction (up to 60 minutes weekly)

In the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, students may apply the award towards:

• A maximum of two group classes, schedule permitting

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be in 12th grade or under.
• Applicant must be currently enrolled at an academic institution or home-schooled.
• Applicant must possess a high level of interest and commitment to dance and/or musical study.
• Applicants who are currently enrolled at Colburn must be in good financial standing with no outstanding tuition balances.
• Applicant must demonstrate seriousness of purpose and motivation for chosen path of study. Evaluations and feedback from current teachers will be considered to determine student progress, dedication, and consistent attendance.
• Family gross income must not exceed $98,000 annually on current federal tax returns.

This scholarship supports highly motivated students and provides the opportunity to engage in comprehensive music education in the Community School of Performing Arts. Recipients are required to take weekly music theory classes and private lessons, as well as participate in an ensemble such as an orchestra and/or chamber ensemble. Herbert Zipper Scholarships are full-tuition scholarships, and students must be highly dedicated and committed to their musical studies.

Students do not have to re-apply for a Herbert Zipper Scholarship. Awardees maintain their scholarship until graduation from high school, provided all requirements continue to be met.

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicant must be between 8–17 years of age and have at least two years of experience on their instrument through private applied study or ensemble participation.
• Applicant must be currently enrolled at an academic institution or home-schooled.
• Applicant must possess a high level of interest and commitment to musical study.
• Applicants who are currently enrolled at Colburn must be in good financial standing with no outstanding tuition balances.
• Applicant must demonstrate seriousness of purpose and motivation for their chosen path of study. Evaluations and feedback from current teachers will be considered to determine student progress, dedication, and consistent attendance.
• Family gross income must not exceed $98,000 annually on current federal tax returns.

April 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM: Deadline for Herbert Zipper Scholarship applications

NOTE: Late applications will NOT be accepted.

May 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM: Deadline for Need-Based Financial Scholarship applications

NOTE: Applications received by this deadline will be reviewed in the first round of review. Late applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed in the second round of review.

May 15, 2026: Applicants will be notified if their application is incomplete

June 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM: Deadline to submit requested information and/or documents for incomplete applications

June 15, 2026: Decision release for applications received on or before May 1

After June 15, 2026: Decisions for applications received after May 1 are released on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted

Students applying for the Herbert Zipper Scholarship must submit the following supplemental materials with their application:

• Copy of last report card
• Letter of recommendation from a current private lesson instructor or ensemble director
• One-page essay written by the applicant on one of the following topics:
  • Tell us about someone you admire and how they have impacted your life
  • Describe your goals and plans following your high school graduation

Applicants must also prepare and submit a video recording no longer than 10 minutes for pre-screening along with their application, following the audition requirements listed below:

• Instrumental: Record a memorized performance of a solo piece of your choosing. Accompaniment is not required. NOTE: Woodwind and Brass applicants do not need to memorize their piece.
• Jazz Instrumental: (1) Record a memorized performance of two repertoire selections: themes to an "American Songbook" piece (Ellington, Strayhorn, Gershwin, Berlin, Porter, etc.), (2) Perform a post-1945 jazz composition (Monk, Rollins, Davis, Dameron, Coltrane, etc.), and (3) Improvise on "I Got Rhythm" in B-flat and a Blues F or B-flat. Demonstration of scales/arpeggios in major, harmonic minor, and melodic minor keys.
• Vocal: Record a memorized performance of the following:
  • 8th grade and younger: One song of student's choice in either classical or musical theatre style
  • 9th grade and older: Two songs of contrasting styles. One art song in a foreign language is suggested (preferably Italian) with an optional accompanist.

The Scholarship Committee will invite qualified students for a live audition to demonstrate current skill level. All applicants will be asked to perform two contrasting works (this may be two movements of a single work or two separate pieces), as well as two major and minor scales (vocalists are exempt from the scale requirement). In addition, an interview with the applicant and one parent or guardian may be requested.

Applicants who are not invited for a live audition will automatically be considered for a Need-Based Financial Scholarship.

Beginning this year, only one application is required per household. Applications must be filled out completely and all required financial documents must be submitted. If an application is considered incomplete by the Scholarship Committee, the applicant will be given a deadline to submit any requested information and/or documents. If the requested materials are not received by the deadline, the application will be closed and the applicant will need to apply again.

The Colburn School cannot guarantee the availability of funds if an application is received following the May 1 deadline.

The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications with extreme care. Every effort will be made to provide appropriate funding to applicants.

The Scholarship Committee reserves the right to request any additional information and/or documentation at any time during the review process to gain better insight into the applicant’s current financial situation.

All communications related to submitted scholarship applications must be sent via email. CSPA and TZDI staff are unable to discuss specific application information with individuals in-person or over the phone. 

Applicants will be notified of their application result by email by noon on June 15, 2026. If a financial scholarship is awarded, the email will contain:

• Link to digitally sign the award letter
• Registration Form (the items covered by the financial scholarship will be pre-filled; the applicant must complete the remainder of the form and submit it to the registration office in order to finalize enrollment)
• Payment Authorization Form (complete this form if there is a balance due and you wish to pay the balance in full)
• Deferred Payment Plan Agreement Form (complete this form if there is a balance due and you wish to set up a deferred payment plan; the payment plan set-up fee will be waived)
• 2026-27 Course Catalogue (refer to this document if you wish to enroll in additional classes, ensembles, and/or lessons that are not covered by the financial scholarship)

The award letter must be signed digitally by the assigned deadline. Award letters that are not signed by the assigned deadline will be forfeited, and the applicant will need to re-apply.

Registration and payment forms must be completed and submitted to the registration office before the first day of class. Forms submitted via email must be in a high-resolution PDF format. If a received form is not legible, the registration office will request that the applicant sends it again in a higher-resolution format. Printed copies of registration and payment forms will also be available in the registration office for applicants who prefer to fill them out in-person.

Herbert Zipper Scholarship Applicants ONLY: Applicants who are awarded the Herbert Zipper Scholarship will receive an email with a link to digitally sign the award letter. The Herbert Zipper Scholarship Coordinator will reach out separately following the award decision release to assist with registration.