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Carole Adrian
A native of Mobile, Ala., Carole Adrian has lived in New York for three decades, and says she is still not used to the cold weather. Prior to coming to Juilliard, she worked at Columbia Artists Management, Inc. and its subsidiary, Community Concerts, Inc.
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| Carole Adrian with a furry friend at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by Karen Wagner) |
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How long have you worked at Juilliard, and what do you remember about your first day? Eight years; what I remember most vividly is that my boss and I discovered we share the same birthday. I also recall thinking I absolutely would never be able to find my way around the third floor—and eight years later, I sometimes still feel like I need to leave a trail of breadcrumbs behind me!What job at Juilliard would you like to try out for a day and why?Board member; I'd like to see how Juilliard's future is shaped, and I would learn a great deal from the level of the discussion.If out of the blue your boss said to take the day off, how would you spend your free time?I'd go to a favorite museum, like the jewel-box-sized American Museum of Folk Art; or I'd go to a foreign film, or browse in SoHo, or dream among the stacks at the Strand Bookstore—or just enjoy being a "tourist" in an unfamiliar neighborhood.Do you have a background in music, dance, or drama? Are you actively pursuing it?I have a degree in applied voice, and am a lapsed lyric-coloratura. Although I was a regional winner in the Metropolitan Opera auditions and "dipped a toe" into the professional performing waters, I quickly realized that life on the stage was not for me—but it was a fabulous experience to have the opportunity to pursue my dream.What kind of performances do you prefer to attend and why?I usually choose 19th-century ballet and opera. I love the opulence of the sets and costumes; the outsized emotions; and especially, their calming sense of order and direction. I also find these works to be a fascinating window back in time. (But when I go to a story ballet, it takes me most of the first act to get used to the idea that no one is going to sing!)What other pursuits are you passionate about? Collecting antique buttons! (A surprisingly popular hobby, with 4,500 members in the National Button Society—really, I'm not making this up.) It's a wonderful way to explore history, social history, and the decorative arts.What was the best vacation you've had and what made that trip so special?Any trip that combines antiquing with frequent stops for ice cream qualifies as "the best vacation I ever had."What is your proudest accomplishment in life?I haven't accomplished it yet! But at some point, I would like to teach adults to read, and I can't imagine anything that would make me more proud.What might people be surprised to know about you?That I will voluntarily watch pro football on TV, and that I have never been served more turnip greens than I can eat.What is your favorite thing about New York City? I love how "alive" it is; I often think of it more as a person than as a city!What is your dream job?Philanthropist. Among other things, I could then find a way to support getting our most highly qualified people into all levels of the teaching profession and keeping them there—critical for our country's future.What book are you reading right now?Two things: Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, an exquisitely perceptive look at people caught between two cultures, and a recent biography of Victorian photographer Julia Margaret Cameron.Is there anything you'd like to add? It is a privilege and a joy to be part of the Juilliard community.
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