On December 9-12, 43 high school juniors and seniors from across the United States participated in the eighth annual Juilliard Experience. The goal of this four-day event is to give outstanding black, Latino, and Native American students from across the United States the opportunity to immerse themselves in the conservatory life at Juilliard. Through an intensive schedule, student participants sample the School’s curriculum, rehearsals, and performances and have the opportunity to see students and faculty in action.

While touring Lincoln Center, nine participants in this year’s Juilliard Experience posed in front of the Christmas tree with their tour guide . (Photo by Jhon Velasco)

The students participating in the Juilliard Experience are selected from dance, drama, and music programs in performing arts high schools around the country. The chance to learn first-hand about the daily life of a conservatory student and get a more accurate sense of the demands of Juilliard’s training can be essential as students make final decisions regarding their choice of colleges and prepare for the rigors of the admissions process. In order to provide a broad exposure to our school, each student’s schedule includes additional performances beyond his or her individual field of interest.

This year’s participants got to attend the Broadway show Rent, the Juilliard Orchestra’s performance of Mahler’s Second Symphony at Carnegie Hall, and a performance of The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet. Students also attended Juilliard classes, lessons, workshops on financial aid, and auditions; took a tour of the Lincoln Center campus; and met with Juilliard students for a question-and-answer session.

The visiting students are matched with current Juilliard students who host them in the Meredith Willson Residence Hall. Students who served as hosts contacted each guest before their arrival, and remained in close touch throughout the experience. This set the tone for a meaningful and event-filled three days. Kirven Boyd, a Juilliard Experience participant who studies dance in Dorchester, Mass., remarked, “I love the atmosphere here at Juilliard. It’s really great to be around people who are so passionate about what they do. Everyone was so nice, they made us all feel welcome, and the faculty is phenomenal. I am truly grateful to everyone who made my Juilliard Experience amazing!”

The planning for the Juilliard Experience begins in August, with a committee representing Student Affairs, Residence Life, Dance, Drama, Music, Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, and Admissions. This year, over 150 qualified applicants vied for 45 places in the program. Priority is given to those students who present the most complete applications and who show the strongest evidence of pre-professional training in the performing arts.

“The biggest challenge for us all is not keeping the schedules full and exciting, but coordinating the logistics of getting 45 students here from three airports, two train terminals, and one bus station within a three-hour block of time,” said Jhon Velasco, assistant director of Student Affairs. “Once the students are here, their energy and enthusiasm, along with their great schedules, carry the day.”

“I don’t want to go home!” exclaimed Emilia Herman, a drama student from Boston, before the end of the four-day experience. “This place is magic. A place where you do your art? C’mon! Now that is magic. I will be back!”

“From Anne Chambless’ make-up application class to Bertha Melnik’s and Robert White’s voice classes, this experience more than exceeded my expectations,” concurred Malcolm J. Harris, a voice student from Maryland. “I now know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that Juilliard is the place I will be.”

Catherine Charlton and Jhon Velasco—director and assistant director of student affairs, respectively—collaborated on this article.