Stefanie Calderon | Staff Portrait

Senior Assistant Registrar 

Born and raised in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Stefanie Calderon majored in voice and music business at Berklee College of Music before finding her way to New York City. While temping at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, she stumbled upon an opening for an administrative assistant in the Juilliard registrar’s office and has been here ever since. A big proponent of animal adoption, she and her husband adopted their dog, Frank, four years ago. “There are so many incredible dogs that need homes, and if I could adopt all of them, I would!” Oh, and Stefanie is a huge roller skating fan and plays competitive (is there any other kind?) roller derby.

What’s the most memorable job you’ve had?
One of my first jobs in New York was as an usher at the Tribeca Film Festival, and one night as I was directing people to the exits, someone grabbed my shoulder and said, “Excuse me, can you point me to the green room, love?” I'd started instructing him when I saw that it was David Bowie! I’m a huge fan, and I tried to be cool, but I’m not—I immediately got all wide-eyed and jawdropped. He winked as he thanked me and walked away.

What’s been one of your favorite days here?
Commencement. My office works so closely with all the students, and it’s very satisfying to see it culminate. The week leading up to it is intense and stressful, with an endless to-do list and double-checks. On Commencement day, I’m usually in charge of the student line-up, making sure everyone is in the correct order. As the students start filing into Sharp Lobby to get in line, you can feel the joy. Don’t get me wrong—there’s still a lot of panic hoping everything goes off okay, but I guess you could say it’s a fun kind of panic? As soon as that last student crosses the stage, I’m just as excited, proud, and relieved as they are.

If out of the blue your boss said to take the day off, what would you do?
I’d start by sleeping in and then I’d try one of the neighborhood restaurants I’ve been meaning to get to. I’d definitely go for a trail skate with some friends, probably to Jones Beach. I’d end the day similar to how I started it—hanging out with Frank and my husband.

Tell us about roller derby!
I’m president of my league, the Long Island Roller Rebels, a nonprofit skater-run organization. I have a hand in managing just about everything— scheduling practices and games, coming up with event and fundraising ideas, and coordinating contracts. Aside from skating, we do a lot of community outreach and try to find fun ways to give back including a charity bout every year. I skate for our all-stars team, which is internationally ranked, and I’m captain of our B team, the Rock- A-Betty Bruisers. I also coach and am in charge of hospitality for the league.

What was the best vacation you’ve had?
I have two: The first was my honeymoon to Iceland. We did some typical tourist things, like the Blue Lagoon and a Northern Lights tour (we saw them!), but we also explored the whole South Shore, had phenomenal food, and found the best record store (12 Tónar).

The second was my trip to Guatemala last year. My dad grew up in Zacapa, so I’d been there a few times. But this trip was for sure the best—it was the first time me and my dad got to go there just for fun. We went all over the country and saw things I’d never been able to see before. I went to Tikal and climbed the ruins, sailed through Livingston, and visited Esquipulas and Antigua. It was wonderful.

Any meal, prepared by anyone, what is it?
A burger is the absolute perfect meal—it has everything you could ask for in a single bite! I would love to go on a burger tour around the world. I personally make a dynamite turkey burger and I’ve yet to find one better.

What are you listening to/watching?
Listening: pre-2004 Mariah Carey, Brand New, ’90s R&B, and David Bowie are always in my top rotation, and I’ve been big into Dolly Parton, CHVRCHES and Tennis lately. Watching: Aside from my endless loop of The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Forensic Files, I’ve been watching the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and just finished Dead to Me. I also have a soft spot for bad horror movies, ghost reality shows, and true crime documentaries.

What question do you always get asked?
What kind of eyeliner do you use? How’s that rollerball/rollerblade thing going? Transcripts?!

What question do you wish you’d get asked?
Can I buy tickets to your next roller derby bout? Can you show me pictures of Frank? The answer is yes to both. And by the way, my office is a cute little cave in the corner of the Registrar’s Office and is often overlooked—feel free to pop in and say hello!