Frank Gehry's New Colburn School Concert Hall: A Vision of Performing Arts Excellence Set for 2027 Unveiling
The Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles is preparing to inaugurate its ambitious 100,000-square-foot campus expansion, a marvel of modern architecture conceived by the renowned Frank Gehry. The centerpiece, the 1,000-seat Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall, a distinctive round concert venue, is slated to open its doors on September 25, 2027. This development marks a significant milestone for the institution, which serves approximately 10,000 individuals weekly with its extensive performing arts education and over 500 annual public performances. The expansion, whose initial designs were revealed in 2022, will notably triple the school's dance facilities and become the new home for the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute. Adorned with a unique metallic pink finish, the structure is positioned next to Colburn's Grand Avenue campus and is projected to be largely finished by summer 2027.
Colburn School Unveils Frank Gehry's Architectural Masterpiece in Los Angeles
In the vibrant heart of Los Angeles, the Colburn School is poised to dramatically enhance its performing arts landscape with the grand opening of its new concert hall and expanded dance facilities. On October 9, 2026, the school officially announced that the iconic Frank Gehry-designed Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall, a 1,000-seat circular concert venue, will host its inaugural gala concert on September 25, 2027. This much-anticipated event will be followed by a community celebration and ribbon-cutting ceremony the next day, featuring free performances across the campus, including the new Dance Center, culminating in a grand finale concert within the Kohl Hall itself.
Gehry's distinctive architectural vision for the new structure masterfully blends opaque and transparent volumes, meticulously crafted to descend with the natural slope of the site. The building's exterior, notably clad in a bespoke metallic pink finish dubbed 'Pink Kandy' — a fluoropolymer resin-based coating infused with aluminum flake, inspired by automotive paints — promises a striking visual presence. A spacious, light-filled entrance seamlessly connects various building components with both street-level and rooftop gardens, fostering a harmonious integration with its urban surroundings. This significant expansion will complement Colburn's existing 428,137-square-foot campus, which already boasts administrative offices, a residence hall, the 430-seat Zipper Hall, and the 189-seat Thayer Hall, alongside numerous rehearsal spaces and studios.
The interior of the 1,000-seat concert hall is designed with an 'in-the-round' configuration, featuring an orchestra pit and a stage expansive enough to accommodate large-scale productions and orchestras. Natural light permeates the space, enhancing its ambiance, while adjustable acoustic elements, ingeniously shaped like 'floating clouds' above the performers, ensure optimal sound quality. This versatile hall is equipped to host a diverse array of performances, including large-scale orchestral, dance, opera, and jazz productions, welcoming both established and emerging performing arts organizations. For the acoustic design, Gehry collaborated with acclaimed experts Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustics, known for his work on the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and Michael Ferguson, a consultant for Gehry's New World Center in Miami Beach and the Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Bard College.
Beyond the concert hall, the new building proudly houses the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute, significantly expanding the school's dance provisions. This dedicated Dance Center encompasses a 100-seat Studio Theater and four professional-grade studios, enabling enhanced instruction, rehearsals, and performances. This section of the facility is projected to become operational with the commencement of the 2027-28 academic year in August 2027. Programming details for both the hall and the Dance Center, including artist residencies, festivals, and a mix of student, faculty, guest artist, and ensemble performances, are slated for announcement in spring 2026. The Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall will also serve as the permanent home for the prestigious Colburn Orchestra, the Conservatory of Music's flagship ensemble. This project is part of a broader wave of significant architectural openings, joining Gehry's Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi, set for December 11, 2026, and the recently opened MAD-designed Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles, which debuted on September 22, 2026.
The unveiling of the Terri and Jerry Kohl Hall at the Colburn School represents more than just the addition of a new building; it signifies a profound commitment to nurturing artistic talent and enriching the cultural fabric of Los Angeles. Frank Gehry's visionary design, with its blend of aesthetic beauty and functional innovation, promises to create an inspiring environment for both performers and audiences. The expanded facilities for the Trudl Zipper Dance Institute underscore the school's dedication to holistic arts education, ensuring that future generations of musicians and dancers have access to world-class resources. This development not only elevates the Colburn School's standing as a premier performing arts institution but also contributes significantly to Los Angeles's reputation as a global cultural hub, offering a vibrant new space for artistic expression and community engagement.