A Dancer’s Advice for Incoming Students

First-year Students:

Firstly, welcome and congratulations! Everything you know and/or question about your art will amplify the moment you become part of the Juilliard community. You are without a doubt an exceptional artist and remember, it is the people that make this school great. Plus here are a few tips about life here.  

• You are expected (and encouraged) to take risks every day
• To navigate any floor other than the first, read the signs on the wall—that’s the only way you’ll be able to make it to liberal arts classes
• Speaking of which, take your liberal arts readings a lot more seriously
• Encourage listening by practicing listening
• There’s life beyond 65th Street and Broadway
• Artistry is a unique part of your identity that requires attention and thought 
• The library is truly a gem—adventure into another division’s books or scores there
• Patience and perseverance are what develops clarity in an artist

Finally, legacy is appreciated when history is understood. One of the reasons Juilliard is so appreciated is because people know that it teaches you how to preserve tradition and be respectfully progressive—and that is what’s necessary to be the kind of artist who can reach and extend the frontier of their medium. Your legacy will be your fight and adventure. Remember, everything you need is already inside of you—and there’s an entire community ready to support you. Take your heart, your art, and your risk and run as far into the world as it will let you. You’re in good hands, and I wish you well!

Dancer Alysia Johnson got her bachelor’s degree in May and is joining Hubbard Street Dance Chicago