Meet current music student Yvonne Chen

Name: Yvonne Chen

Major: Piano

Home town: Oak Hill, Virginia

How many years have you studied at Juilliard? I am currently a fourth-year undergraduate student and studied two years in the Pre-College Division.

Why did you decide to apply to and attend Juilliard? I applied to Juilliard knowing I'd be surrounded by very talented peers and inspiring, knowledgeable teachers. Also, being able to go to school in New York in the Lincoln Center area has made it so much easier to be fully immersed in the arts, and yet be able to explore anything and everything the city has to offer.

What have been some of your favorite classes? Piano performance with David Dubal has been by far the most illuminating class I have taken at Juilliard. His weekly anecdotes about current events, society, and music have been increasingly applicable as we are nearing graduation. In the same sense, President Polisi's class, American Society and the Arts, has been a great change from my usual music theory and history classes. My classmates and I are being guided to stay informed citizens as artists who are invariably affected by the politics of the world.

Tell us about one of your most memorable moments at the School. During my freshman year I was selected with a group of my classmates to go to New Orleans on the annual ARTreach trip during the first week of spring break. I will never forget all the collaborations I had with the musicians, dancers, and actors, and more importantly the friendships I made as a result of that one week. In the three years that I have returned to Louisiana, I treasure our 15-hour work days, knowing that maximizing my efforts in this way has shown me more of what I am capable of doing.

What does it mean to you that individuals and alumni donate money to support Juilliard? I am incredibly thankful to the individuals and alumni who donate money to support the programs and students at Juilliard. Not only does this benefit the students here financially, it definitely can give current students a sense of responsibility and feeling that someone out there believes in what we're working towards. Also, I have found that the many resources we have at our disposal at Juilliard, whether ChamberFest, ARTreach, Career Services, or the Health Center, all have been so helpful and pertinent in becoming a successful artist.

How important was it to you to receive a scholarship to attend Juilliard? Very! On average I spend my days from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at The Juilliard School, with about three cumulative hours of breaks for eating and resting from practice. On weekends, I supplement my scholarship with work-study jobs, teaching fellowships, and performing fellowships. If it weren't for the scholarship, it would be nearly impossible for me to continue working towards my dream of becoming the best pianist I can be.