Read on for an introduction to New York's illustrious Juilliard School. It's served as alma mater to many famous musicians including Nigel Kennedy, Renée Fleming, Miles Davis and many more.
Who founded the Juilliard School?
The Juilliard School dates back to 1905. It was originally founded as the Institute of Musical Art by Liszt’s godson Frank Damrosch. He wanted to offer talented musicians a chance to study to the highest level without having to travel abroad. From the outset, there was strong competition for places. Within five years the Institute had moved away from its Fifth Avenue home to allow it to expand.
Who is the Juilliard School named after?
A major bequest in the will of the wealthy textile merchant Augustus Juilliard in 1919 led to the institute’s change of name. It went through various variations before, in 1968, becoming the Juilliard School.
Where is the Juilliard School based?
Since 1969, the school has been based in Manhattan at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. The distinctive sharp corners of its Alice Tully Hall are an instantly recognisable feature. There are around 800 students at the School. They study undergraduate and post-graduate degrees in music, drama and dance.
Which famous people went to the Juilliard?
Its list of former pupils is impressive. They include composers Einojuhani Rautavaara, Philip Glass and Steve Reich. Violinists Pinchas Zukerman (one of our 20 greatest violinists), Nigel Kennedy and Sarah Chang went there. Sopranos Leontyne Price and Renée Fleming, two of the best American singers of all time, studied at the Juilliard.
Jazz legends Miles Davis (one of the greatest jazz trumpet players ever), Nina Simone and Chick Corea (one of the best jazz pianists ever) also studied here, as did actors including Robin Williams, Kelsey Grammer and Kelly McGillis.
The Juilliard has been named the best music college and conservatoire in the world
Read more about the history in the book Juilliard: A History
Top image shows the Juilliard School in the 1920s. (Photo by MCNY/Gottscho-Schleisner/Getty Images)
