Juilliard School facts for kids

"Juilliard" redirects here. For other uses, see Juilliard (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids
The Juilliard School

Former names	Institute of Musical Art (1905–1926) Juilliard School of Music (1926–1968)
Type	Private conservatory
Established	1905; 120 years ago (1905)
Founder	Frank Damrosch
Accreditation	MSCHE
Endowment	$1.38 billion (2021)
President	Damian Woetzel
Academic staff	~350 (2021)
Students	~950 college and ~290 pre-college
Undergraduates	~600 students (2020)
Postgraduates	~350 students (2020)
Location	New York City , New York , United States 40°46′26″N 73°59′00″W / 40.77389°N 73.98333°W / 40.77389; -73.98333
Campus	Small Urban
Colors	red and blue
Mascot	Penguin

The Juilliard School is a famous private school for performing arts in New York City. It's often called "Juilliard" (pronounced JOO-lee-ard). It was started in 1905 by Frank Damrosch as the Institute of Musical Art. Later, it added programs for dance and drama. The school was named after a big supporter, Augustus D. Juilliard.

Juilliard has three main parts: dance, drama, and music. The music program is the oldest and largest. The school offers degrees for college students and special programs for professional artists. It also has musical training for younger students before college. Juilliard is located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. It has many studios, performance halls, a library, and a dorm. It is one of the hardest schools to get into in the United States. About 950 students attend Juilliard. Its students and teachers perform all year, including the famous Juilliard String Quartet.

Many people who went to Juilliard have won major awards. These include 105 Grammy Awards, 62 Tony Awards, 47 Emmy Awards, and 24 Academy Awards. Some alumni have even won all four of these awards, known as an EGOT. Juilliard graduates often become international performers or lead major orchestras. Its alumni and teachers have also won over 16 Pulitzer Prizes and 12 National Medal of Arts.

History of Juilliard School

How Juilliard Started: 1905–1946

Frank Damrosch, who started the Institute of Musical Art.

In 1905, Frank Damrosch started the Institute of Musical Art (IMA). This was the school before Juilliard. Damrosch, a conductor from Germany, believed the U.S. needed a top music school. He felt too many students went to Europe to study music. The school got money from a kind person named James Loeb.

Damrosch and Loeb wanted to create a music school with high standards. They wanted to teach music in a way that would help everyone. The school used its funding to make sure teaching quality was good, no matter how much money students had.

The Institute of Musical Art at 120 Claremont Avenue in Manhattan, NYC.

The Institute of Musical Art opened on October 11, 1905. It was in a former mansion in New York City. At first, most teachers were from Europe. However, only Americans could study there. Most students were women, even though orchestras were only for men. The school had 467 students in its first year. This number quickly doubled. Five years later, the institute moved to Morningside Heights in Manhattan. It was near Columbia University.

John Erskine, the first president of Juilliard.

In 1919, a rich merchant named Augustus D. Juilliard passed away. He left a lot of money to help music. This money created the Juilliard Musical Foundation (JMF) in 1920. The foundation bought a guesthouse and started a new music school. This was the Juilliard Graduate School (JGS), opened in 1924.

In 1926, the Institute and the Graduate School joined together. They formed the Juilliard School of Music. In 1931, the JGS moved next to the IMA. Both schools had the same leaders. John Erskine, a professor from Columbia University, became the first president. Frank Damrosch stayed as the dean of the Institute. Ernest Hutcheson, a pianist, became dean of the Graduate School. Hutcheson later became president from 1937 to 1945.

Growing and Changing: 1946–1990

William Schuman, a famous American composer, became Juilliard's third president in 1945. He led the school until 1961. Schuman made big changes to improve the school's quality. In 1946, he combined the two schools into one. He also created the Juilliard String Quartet. This group became the school's main performing quartet. Schuman reduced the number of students. He also allowed students from other countries to attend.

Schuman changed how music theory was taught. He started a new program called Literature and Materials of Music (L&M) in 1947. This program focused on how music theory could be used in actual performances. It was taught by composers and gave a broad view of music.

In 1951, Schuman started the school's Dance Department. Martha Hill was its first director. Students learned dance, how to create dances, and music. The department offered chances to perform. For many years, the Juilliard Dance Department shared space with the School of American Ballet.

In 1957, Juilliard decided to move to the new Lincoln Center. Lincoln Center paid for the new building. In return, Juilliard would only teach advanced students. It would also start a drama program. The new Juilliard School building at Lincoln Center opened on October 26, 1969. Moving to Lincoln Center made Juilliard even more respected.

The Juilliard School at the Lincoln Center when it first opened in 1969.

Peter Mennin, a composer, became president in 1962. He made more changes to the L&M program. He added more performances and composition classes. Mennin also started new programs. These included Juilliard's Master Class Program and Doctoral Music Program. Under Mennin, Juilliard's fame grew worldwide. Many alumni won big international music contests.

In 1968, Mennin hired John Houseman to lead the new Drama Division. The school's name changed to The Juilliard School. This showed it now taught music, dance, and drama. The drama department first trained actors. Later, in the 1990s, it added programs for playwrights and directors. Houseman started The Acting Company in 1972. This let Juilliard students perform and tour across the country.

Modern Times: 1990–2020

Joseph W. Polisi was Juilliard's president for the longest time (1984–2017). He helped the school become modern. He started programs to help more students. He also made the music programs stronger. In 1991, Polisi started the Music Advancement Program (MAP). This program helped students who didn't have many chances to study music in New York City schools.

Between 1990 and 1993, new departments were created for all instruments and voice. A dorm, the Merideth Wilson Residence Hall, was built next to the school. Teacher salaries went up. In 2001, the school started a jazz performance program.

By the late 1900s, Juilliard was a very famous performing arts school. Many graduates played in top American Orchestras. The school's money grew a lot. Even though tuition was high, most accepted students chose to attend. In 1999, Juilliard won the National Medal of Arts. It was the first school to get this award.

In 2005, students from Juilliard and London's Royal Academy of Music played together. In 2008, the Juilliard Orchestra toured China. They performed as part of the Cultural Olympiad.

The school has received many gifts since the 2000s. In 2006, Juilliard got a collection of rare music papers. These are now the Juilliard Manuscript Collection. In 2010, James S. Marcus gave $10 million. This helped create the Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts. In 2014, Bruce Kovner gave $60 million. This money helps talented students with their school costs.

Tianjin Juilliard School

On September 28, 2015, Juilliard announced a big expansion. It opened a school in Tianjin, China, in 2020. This was Juilliard's first full school outside the U.S. It offers a Master of Music degree.

In May 2017, Damian Woetzel became president. He used to be a dancer with the New York City Ballet. From March 2020 to spring 2021, Juilliard taught classes online. Live performances stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After the Pandemic: 2020–Present

In June 2021, some students protested against rising tuition costs. They felt their concerns were not heard. In September, the school's Evening Division changed its name to Juilliard Extension. It now offers more programs, both in person and online. In December 2021, the school received a $50 million gift. This money helps students from less privileged backgrounds in the Music Advancement Program.

Juilliard's Campus

{ "type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [

{ "type": "Feature", "properties": { "title": "Alice Tully Hall", "marker-symbol": "-number", "marker-color": "302060", "marker-size": "medium" }, "geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [-73.98255267162323, 40.77338364167763] }

{ "type": "Feature", "properties": { "title": "Juillliard School, Irene Diamond Building", "marker-symbol": "-number", "marker-color": "302060", "marker-size": "medium" }, "geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [-73.98328267162323,40.7738036] } }, { "type": "Feature", "properties": { "title": "Meredith Willson Residence Hall", "marker-symbol": "-number", "marker-color": "302060", "marker-size": "medium" }, "geometry": { "type": "Point", "coordinates": [-73.98408267162323,40.7740036] } } ] } </mapframe>

The Juilliard School is in one main building. It is called the Irene Diamond Building. It's located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The building has many large studios and places to perform. These include the Glorya Kaufman Dance Studio and the Stephanie P. McClelland Drama Theater. There are also recital halls like the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. The building also holds the Alice Tully Hall.

Next to the Juilliard building is the Samuel B. & David Rose Building. This building has the Meredith Willson Residence Hall. It is named after a composer and Juilliard graduate, Meredith Willson. This building has student dorms and studios for visiting artists. The School of American Ballet is also located here.

Alice Tully Hall
Main entrance
Irene Diamond Building

How Juilliard is Run

Juilliard is led by a Board of Trustees and other leaders. The Board of Trustees has about thirty members. They choose Juilliard's president and manage the school's money. The president and provost are key leaders. There are also deans and directors for each main area. These include dance, music, drama, and the pre-college programs. There is also a director for the Jazz program.

Juilliard works with other colleges like Columbia University. It also works with Nord Anglia Education for younger students. The school is approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Academics at Juilliard

How to Get In

Juilliard accepts students for degree programs and for its pre-college division. The pre-college program is for younger students. It helps them improve their skills. All students who want to join the Music Advancement Program must audition in person. They must be between 8 and 18 years old.

Getting into Juilliard involves several steps. First, applicants send in their application, school grades, and letters of recommendation. Some programs also need recordings of their work. These recordings are reviewed. Then, a small number of applicants are invited to a live audition. After auditions, some applicants meet with a program leader.

It is very hard to get into the Juilliard School. It is one of the most selective schools in the U.S. For example, in 2011, only 5.5% of applicants were accepted. In 2012, about 7.2% of college applicants got in. Students accepted in 2012 often had very high grades and SAT scores.

Juilliard students can also take classes at Columbia University. This is a special program for a few students each year. Columbia students can also get a music degree from Juilliard faster.

Programs of Study

The school offers programs in dance, drama, and music. All college degree programs require general education classes. These include writing, history, and culture.

The Dance Division started in 1951. It offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or a Diploma. Students learn ballet, modern, and contemporary dance. They also take classes in dance technique and performance. The program focuses on performing, creating dances, and working with others.

The Drama Division started in 1968. It was founded by John Houseman. Its acting programs offer a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or a Diploma. Since 2012, it also offers a Master of Fine Arts degree. The Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Program started in 1993. It offers free graduate programs for playwrights.

The Music Division is the largest part of the school. It offers Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. Students can study many instruments like piano, strings, and brass. They can also study singing, composition, and jazz. The biggest music department is strings, then piano. Some programs, like orchestral conducting, are only for graduate students.

Juilliard also has special diploma programs. These are for performers who want advanced training. They help artists improve their professional careers.

Pre-College Division

The Pre-College Division teaches students in elementary, middle, and high school. Classes happen every Saturday from September to May. They are held at the Juilliard Building in Lincoln Center.

All pre-college students study music theory and how to read music. They also learn their main instrument. Singers learn about diction and performing. Pianists study piano performance. Students who play string, brass, or woodwind instruments also play in an orchestra. The pre-college has two orchestras. Students can also choose to study conducting, chorus, and chamber music.

The Pre-College Division started in 1916. It became the Pre-College Division in 1969. Many graduates get top artistic training. They often have the same teachers as the college students.

Center for Innovation in the Arts

The Center for Innovation in the Arts (CIA) started in 1993. It was first called the Music Technology Center. It helps students use digital technology to create and perform new music. The program now offers many classes. These include music technology, music production, and film scoring.

In 2009, the CIA moved to a new, modern facility. It has a studio for mixing and recording music. It also has a digital "playroom" for composing. The CIA is where interdisciplinary and electronic music projects happen at Juilliard.

Musical Instruments at Juilliard

The Juilliard School has about 275 pianos. Most of these are Steinway grand pianos. It has one of the largest collections of Steinway pianos in the world. They are in concert halls and practice rooms.

Juilliard also has several pipe organs. These are located in different practice rooms and halls.

The strings department lets students borrow valuable old string instruments. These are used for special concerts and competitions. There are over 200 such instruments. Some are made by famous makers like Antonio Stradivari.

Library and Digital Resources

The Lila Acheson Wallace Library is Juilliard's main library. It has music scores, recordings, books, and videos. The school's archives have original music papers. The library has over 87,000 music scores and 25,000 sound recordings. The Peter Jay Sharp Special Collections has rare items. These include collections from Igor Stravinsky and Eugène Ysaÿe.

A manuscript of Beethoven's Grosse Fuge for piano, part of the Juilliard Manuscript Collection.

In 2006, the school got the Juilliard Manuscript Collection. This collection has original music scores and notes from famous composers. These include Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven. Many of these papers were not seen by the public for a long time. For example, it has the printer's copy of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. This copy has Beethoven's own changes. It was used for the first performance in Vienna in 1824. The entire collection has been put online for everyone to see.

School Rankings

Juilliard is always ranked as one of the best performing arts schools. Since 2016, QS World University Rankings has listed it as a top school for performing arts. For six years, Juilliard was number one. In 2022, it was ranked third. It was behind the Royal College of Music and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. In 2022, Juilliard scored very high for its academic reputation. The Hollywood Reporter also ranked Juilliard as the top drama school in the world in 2021. In 2022, it was ranked fourth among music schools.

Student Life at Juilliard

Students and Diversity

Student body composition as of May, 2022
Race and ethnicity	Total
White	34%	34
International	31%	31
Asian	11%	11
Hispanic	9%	9
Black	8%	8
Other	7%	7
Economic diversity
Low-income	16%	16
Affluent	84%	84

In the 2019–2020 school year, Juilliard had 492 full-time college students. It also had 114 part-time college students and 374 graduate students. About 47% of all students were women. The school's graduation rate was 94%. Most of the degrees given were in music.

Juilliard has worked to have a more diverse group of students. In 2001, it started a Jazz Studies Program. Wynton Marsalis now leads this program. In 2018, the school began an initiative for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB). This helps educate the community about diversity. That same year, Alicia Graf Mack became the first Black dance director. The school has also given money to help minority students. However, some people have said the school needs more diversity in its teachers and what it teaches.

Student Groups

Students at Juilliard have formed many groups. The Juilliard Black Student Union (JBSU) started in 2016. The Alliance for Latin American & Spanish Students (ALAS) began in 2018. The Socialist Penguins is a political group started in 2021. It encourages talks about fairness and stopping racism. Other clubs include the Juilliard Chinese Student & Scholars Association and the Juilliard Christian Fellowship. Juilliard does not have any fraternities or sororities.

In the 1980s, Juilliard students had an ice hockey team. They called themselves the Fighting Penguins. This was the first time the penguin was used as the school's mascot. Today, there is a faculty-staff softball team. There is also a student Juilliard Volleyball Club. However, Juilliard does not have any official sports teams that play against other schools.

Performing Groups

Morse Hall, one of the performing spaces inside the Juilliard School.

The Juilliard School has many different performing groups. These include chamber music, jazz, orchestras, and singing groups. Juilliard's orchestras include the Juilliard Orchestra and the Juilliard Chamber Orchestra. The Axiom Ensemble is a student group that performs 20th-century music.

The Juilliard Electric Ensemble started in 2003. It lets students use technology to create and perform music. This group performs works that use new technology.

Juilliard also has groups made up of teachers. These groups often perform at the school. They include the Juilliard String Quartet and the American Brass Quintet. These groups perform across the U.S. and in other countries.

Famous People from Juilliard

Alumni

Over the years, many Juilliard graduates have become very famous in the arts. They have won hundreds of Grammy, Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Awards. Many Juilliard alumni are lead players in major symphony orchestras. These include the New York Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic. Other graduates have become solo performers around the world. Juilliard alumni have also won over 16 Pulitzer Prizes and 12 National Medals of Arts. Some alumni have even served as cultural ambassadors for the U.S.

Notable Juilliard alumni include:
Henry Mancini, film composer and conductor (entered 1942)
Miles Davis, jazz musician (entered Juilliard 1944)
Van Cliburn, classical pianist (graduated 1954)
Nina Simone, singer and pianist (entered Juilliard 1950)
Leontyne Price, opera singer (studied 1952)
John Williams, film composer and conductor (entered Juilliard 1955)
Chick Corea, jazz composer and pianist (entered Juilliard 1960)
Philip Glass, composer and pianist (graduated 1960)
Marvin Hamlisch, composer and conductor, EGOT winner (Pre-College, 1963)
James Levine, conductor and pianist (graduated 1964)
Pinchas Zukerman, violinist (studied 1969)
Yo-Yo Ma, cellist (Pre-College, 1971)
Kevin Kline, actor (graduated 1972)
Patti Lupone, actress (graduated 1972)
Christine Baranski, actress (graduated 1974)
Kelsey Grammer, actor (attended 1973-1975)
Robin Williams, comedian and actor (attended 1973-1975)
Christopher Reeve, actor, known for playing Superman (graduated 1975)
William Hurt, actor (graduated 1976)
Mandy Patinkin, actor and singer (graduated 1976)
Nigel Kennedy, violinist (attended c. 1972-1977)
Keith David, actor (graduated 1979)
Kevin Spacey, actor (graduated 1981)
Val Kilmer actor (graduated 1981)
Midori Goto, classical violinist (entered Juilliard 1982)
Renée Fleming, soprano (graduated 1987)
Laura Linney, actress (graduated 1990)
Viola Davis, actress and producer, EGOT winner (graduated 1993)
Audra McDonald, actress and singer (graduated 1993)
Sarah Chang, classical violinist (graduated 1999)
Glenn Howerton, actor and writer (graduated 2000)
Anthony Mackie, actor (graduated 2001)
Jessica Chastain, actress and producer (graduated 2003)
Gillian Jacobs, actress and director (graduated 2004)
Oscar Isaac, actor (graduated 2005)
Adam Driver, actor (graduated 2009)

Faculty

Juilliard has over 350 college teachers. Many past and present teachers have won major awards. These include the Pulitzer Prize and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Since Peter Mennin was president, the school often has special classes called master classes. Famous artists and Juilliard teachers lead these classes. Past guest artists have included Leonard Bernstein, Maria Callas, and Luciano Pavarotti.