Christina Salgado | Staff Portrait

Office of the President: Director for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Program Initiatives

Christina Salgado, who was born in the Bronx but grew up in Newburgh, New York, joined the Juilliard staff last January and says she’s “thrilled I can still call upon my training as a dancer while being able to push forward amazing efforts in equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging.” One of three children with “the most incredible parents,” she now has a niece and two nephews and one of her sisters is expecting again. “I can’t wait to meet the new little addition, and I also recently got engaged and am so excited to begin my life with my partner.”

Tell us about your background in the performing arts.
I began dancing when I was 5. I was very shy, so my parents decided to put me in a dance class as a way to break out of my shell and express myself. The joy I experienced in those initial years of dancing quickly turned into love. I decided to study dance and special education in college and pursued a bachelor’s degree from George Mason University’s School of Dance, in a program focused on ballet and modern technique. Following graduation I decided to explore the intersection of creative arts, special education, and community building instead of auditioning and pursuing a performance-based job. My interest in this intersection really increased after graduating, and within a few years I was at Teacher’s College working on a graduate degree in movement sciences: motor learning and control and attempting to understand the brain and behavior.

You have a new position—tell us about your role at Juilliard.
I have been focused on assessing all current EDIB programming, recognizing areas for growth, and developing new initiatives and educational opportunities. I’ve started with developing and implementing EDIB workshops on essential language, building awareness, systemic implications, and pragmatic applications. The development of these workshops was a result of listening to and engaging with our community. I’ve also assisted in the development of an EDIB task force of artistic and administrative leaders to strategically assess, plan, and implement EDIB efforts.

Additionally, we launched two programs in collaboration with the Sphinx Organization. This past May we hosted a retreat as a part of Sphinx LEAD, which is focused on empowering arts leaders of color and transforming the landscape of administrative leadership nationally. This was also the first time the Sphinx Performance Academy came to Juilliard. This strings program recruits and engages students ages 11–17 from cultural backgrounds that are underrepresented in the field of classical music. It was one of the first projects I was exposed to when I joined the Juilliard staff, and it was incredibly inspiring to welcome these 18 young musicians to experience an inclusive curriculum that offered lessons, coaching, master classes, and mentorship. I’m really looking forward to working with Sphinx to offer the program again this coming summer!

From broadening learning experiences and tracking and measuring progress to discussing and supporting pathways to the arts, Juilliard’s work in the EDIB arena will continue to grow, and I’m very excited to continue in this role.

You’ll be doing some community workshops this fall—can you tell us about it?
We will explore best practices to assist in creating inclusive artistic and educational experiences throughout Juilliard. Using a framework that highlights the importance of community building to engage in EDIB work, the workshop will provide opportunities to have open and courageous conversations with our colleagues. The session will explore key definitions, implicit bias, systemic implications, and practical approaches to our everyday work.

What is the strangest job you’ve ever had?
Working as a princess for children’s parties. I was often Jasmine or Elena.

What other pursuits are you passionate about?
I absolutely love to read, take barre classes, and practice mindfulness through yoga.

What might surprise people about you?
I grew up salsa dancing every weekend. My dad would play the congas and my mom would dance with my sisters and me. These are some of the most important memories I carry with me every day. My sisters and I have kept the tradition going, and are now teaching all the kids salsa moves.

What are you reading/listening to/ watching/following?
Reading: A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan and Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy; listening to: whatever is on NPR; watching: Stranger Things 3; following: Major League baseball (but only to be supportive to my fiancé).

What question do you always get asked?
Can you spell your last name; does it begin with a “D” [as in Delgado]?

What question do you wish you’d get asked?
When you’re a child, everyone always asks, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I wish I would still get asked this question since we are always growing, learning, and responding to our life experiences in ways that affect our journey.