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Robert Ross
Born in Queens and raised in Lake Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Rob attended Binghamton University and majored in music, with a minor in political science. He is currently working on an M.B.A. at Baruch College. In addition to his duties in the Pre-College Division, Rob is also administrative director of the Starling-DeLay Violin Symposium.
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| Rob Ross enjoys a ride on the London Eye, the huge ferris wheel on the Thames. (Photo by Victoria Lee) |
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How long have you worked at Juilliard, and what do you remember about your first day?
I began as an intern in the Pre-College Office in 1998. On my first day in August, the Pre-College moved from what is now the Educational Outreach Office to its current location in Room 203. I remember that I had dressed so nicely only to move filing cabinets, boxes, and the one (yes, one) communal office computer.
Have you continued your musical endeavors, and if so, how do you balance them with your job?
I am a percussionist of both the classical and rock varieties. I am also a self-taught guitarist and even more self-taught songwriter. I thought that, working at Juilliard, my own playing would be inspired by the students. It sort of had the opposite effect. The percussionists here are so incredible; I have a deep respect for all of them. I'll set up my instruments again once we have a house and a soundproofed basement. Maybe I'll even start up my rock band—Asphyxiation Suicide—again.
What is one of your favorite memories from your years here?
A phone conversation with Bill Cosby, who was to be the master of ceremonies for the 2005 Pre-College benefit concert. I wrote a comedy script for him to perform and he asked me to read it to him over the phone. He liked it and he laughed. I actually made Bill Cosby laugh! Definitely memorable.
What job at Juilliard would you like to try out for a day and why?
I'd like to work in the scene shop, wear carpenter pants and carry a tool of some sort, maybe a hammer or a T-square. But I have no skills in that area. Otherwise, I would take a stab at being dean.
What is the strangest or most memorable job you've ever had and what made it so?
I was Walky the Bear for the Long Island radio station WALK-FM. My duties included surviving in the 75-pound, 145-degree suit while performing for a group of unappreciative onlookers. It should be noted that, while in costume, I caught a pass from football quarterback Boomer Esiason. I also drove the Bookmobile for Suffolk County on Long Island (not dressed as Walky). My "East-End" route took me out to Montauk and through Shelter Island every day. It was beautiful, and the gas was paid for by the county.
If out of the blue your boss said to take the day off, what would you do with your free time?
I'd probably end up coming to work. All kidding aside, I'd work from home. Seriously though, I'd wake up at 10 a.m. to breakfast in bed (served by our maid; this is a fantasy, right?), take a nice walk in our favorite park near our home in New Jersey, play some Frisbee perhaps, go to an afternoon Yankees game (where they slaughter the Red Sox 9-1), take a helicopter ride to … I'll stop there. I'm getting depressed.
What was the best vacation you've had and what made that trip so special?
My honeymoon in Hawaii was special, and almost perfect until I decided to snorkel for two hours without reapplying sunscreen, requiring an emergency visit by the hotel doctor. We also took a short trip to London for my wife's birthday last year. I loved the spontaneity with which we planned it, and London itself is incredible.
What CD are you listening to?
I checked my CD/DVD player at home and the current lineup is Michael Jackson's Bad, a recording of Prokofiev's Symphony No. 5 (with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Slatkin), and DVDs of Lost in Translation, Best in Show, and a Baby Einstein for when my nephew Ryan and niece Hannah visit.
What might people be surprised to know about you?
I performed (guitar and voice) at Shea Stadium in 2000. It was for a Dunkin' Donuts songwriting contest that I ended up winning. My wife-to-be and I won a trip to the Bahamas as a result. Margo Lamb says she still has a signed picture of me at Shea, buried somewhere in all the stuff in her office. I also won a year's supply of Ben and Jerry's ice cream in their jingle-writing contest.
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