Juilliard is well on its way in developing inspiring, creative forums that contribute toward an environment in which artistic energies can fuse and cross-fertilize. Some of these include the new Mentoring program, which pairs students with a faculty mentor outside their own division. This spring will also see the debut of the Juilliard Electric Ensemble, a crossover of composers, choreographers, musicians, and dancers brought together under the leadership of Edward Bilous to produce works featuring advancements in music technology. (The ensemble's first performances are scheduled for April 2-5 at the Clark Theater.) What's next for the Juilliard community?

At one of the recent, inspiring student luncheons hosted by President Polisi (the next one is scheduled for February 24 at noon), I suggested a sort of "performance club," similar to a book club. Dr. Polisi urged me to polish the idea and get back to him. As I considered what sort of activity would encompass the objective of the freshman Colloquium but also attend to the interests of students heading into the professional world—a world where the word "collaboration" is heard more often than not—the idea for Juilliard Encounters began to take shape in my head. And the idea will become a reality this semester.

Exposure to cutting-edge performances and conversations with artists will pave the way for new relationships with colleagues and mentors.

Juilliard Encounters aims to bring the multi-disciplinary relationships developed early on in student life a step further, by bringing students outside the Juilliard "bubble" and exposing them to wide variety of performance and visual art (including film, dance, theater, music, installation art)—and in so doing, to help develop a discriminating and sophisticated audience for the contemporary arts.

Beginning this semester, Juilliard Encounters will take four groups of roughly 20 students on a first-come, first-serve basis (that means free tickets!) to attend an event of major artistic/cultural significance in New York City, including those at cutting-edge venues such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Joyce Theater, and the Public Theater. After each performance, the students and an invited faculty member will gather at a nearby coffee shop (that means free coffee!) for an in-depth discussion of the work in its entirety: the technique, the experience, and the humanistic and social value of the performances. Ideally, we hope to be joined by artists directly involved in the production itself—from choreographers and composers to lighting designers and critics—in the hope that their expertise will enlighten the students and pave the way for relationships as colleagues and mentors.

The Encounters experience will encompass programs such as New York's latest artistic hot potato, Baz Lurhmann's controversial take on Puccini's La Bohème, currently showing at the Broadway Theater; Talk To Her, Pedro Almodóvar's newest film, featuring choreography by Pina Bausch; and the sobering play The Exonerated, written by two lawyers, playing at 45 Bleeker Theater.

Lurhmann's La Bohème, for example, presents many controversial points for discussion. In his popularized conception of Puccini's score, has Lurhmann revitalized Puccini's masterpiece for the 21st century, or has he merely trivialized the piece, pitching it to an undiscerning audience?

It is my hope that Encounters will bring students together for good times, good coffee, and exciting art while provoking critical thought and discussion, enhanced through the guidance of experienced professionals and critics. I am delighted that President Polisi has chosen to support this venture and I hope, with your help, it will be a valuable addition to the Juilliard experience.

To participate in any Juilliard Encounters group, either e-mail faculty advisor Barli Nugent (bnugent@juilliard.edu), or respond to any Juilliard Encounters announcement e-mails. Space will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis—so sign up soon! Programs are still in formation, so be in touch with me for schedule up-dates. Encounters also invites any students who have suggestions for future events or are interested in helping me develop ideas for the program to e-mail me at amiller@juilliard.edu.

Andrea Miller is a third-year dance student.