A Welcome from the Dean

Imagine a spiritually-vibrant community where top-tier academic and artistic preparation converges with intentional personal and professional development … this is the vision of the Collinsworth School of Performing Arts at California Baptist University.

With an educational environment distinguished by rigorous scholarship, rich musical diversity, vibrant teaching, a prolific performance culture (featuring over 300 concert performances and theatrical productions annually), and a strong emphasis on the building of personal and professional character, the School of Performing Arts at CBU stands as a unique academic institution, dedicated to inspiring students to the highest standards of craft and character, preparing them for success as the next generation of actors, musicians, educators, producers, technicians, and worship facilitators.

Housed in the beautiful, state-of-the-art JoAnn Hawkins Music Building and the historic Wallace Theatre, both in the center of CBU’s resort-style campus, the Collinsworth School of Performing Arts offers fully accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees across our four academic divisions: music education and performance, worship arts, commercial music, and theatre. Complimentary minors and concentrations range from Opera/Musical Theater to Jazz Studies to Worship Arts and Ministry. In addition to its performing arts degree programs, the school currently boasts over 450 students participating in 15 stylistically-diverse ensembles which specialize in repertoire ranging from choral and orchestra art music, opera, chamber music, and band repertoire, to jazz, world music, pop and studio singing, gospel, modern worship, and inspirational worship choirs and ensembles. This breadth of artistic experience is in concert with a vision of training not only excellent, but versatile, performance artists. A vision that requires, along with a comprehensive focus on Western art music, the weaving of a diverse tapestry of musical styles into all its programs without compromise in order to most effectively prepare future artists for what awaits them in the contemporary marketplace of professional musicians.

If you are looking to turn your artistic passion into a performing arts career and are searching for a challenging, diverse, and supportive academic institution to prepare for your future, I invite you to explore the Collinsworth School of Performing Arts at California Baptist University! Scholarships are currently available for music majors and non-music majors alike. Click here to schedule an audition during one of our audition weekends… or simply contact us at 951.343.4251 or performingarts@calbaptist.edu to schedule a personal audition or a university visit.

And, at any time, if you have questions regarding one of our programs or the process of auditioning and applying, don’t hesitate to reach out to me and our team in the offices of the Collinsworth School. We would love the opportunity to dialogue further and explore how the Collinsworth School can partner with you to advance your career objectives.