Meet the Orientation Leaders

Welcome to Juilliard!

This year’s Juilliard orientation leaders introduced themselves, sharing their tips and favorite haunts—find out more in the Juilliard Journal.

Lucas Johnson, Second-year actor

Favorite haunts: Dizzy’s jazz club—it’s free for Juilliard students
For actors: The Theatr app is great for cheap tickets to Broadway shows
Advice: Soak up these moments—they’re the beginning of a beautiful journey
Fun fact: I’ve been a drummer since I was 6

Christopher Armstrong, Fourth-year composer

Favorite haunts: Empanada Mama, Aria, AMC
For composers: Binding for composers (copy center)
Advice: Just be you

Olivia Tilley, Second-year harpist

Favorite haunts: Morton Williams grocery store (good food and fresh fruit), Magnolia Bakery

For musicians:
• The Music Division office is a good place to go if you have questions—Dean Fadwa is very welcoming
• The entrepreneurship office is great for help with your résumé or website

Advice:
• Don’t be afraid to talk to people, everyone is open for a conversation
• Lunch and Learns are a great way to meet people

Eloise Fox, Orientation Chair, Third-year soprano

Favorite haunts: Breads Bakery, Muffins Cafe

For singers:
• Health Services and Vocal Arts have a list of ENTs that accept Juilliard student insurance
• ThredUp is an online consignment store and a great place to find performance attire, particularly discount designer gowns

Advice: Decorate your room and make it feel like your own space, not just somewhere to go at the end of the day
Fun fact: I taught myself how to sew during the pandemic, and I make quilts, clothes, and stuffed animals

Emily Okamoto, Third-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Simply Noodles, Target, Little Italy Pizza 72nd St, Hooda and Casbah halal carts, H-Mart, Dainobu, Carnegie Hall, Real Kung Fu Little Steamed Buns Ramen
For thrifting/dance clothes: Salvation Army, Buffalo Exchange, Unique Boutique
Advice: It’s ok if you don’t feel like you’ve found “your people” right away—you’ll be surprised how much things can change

Jocelyn Wynn, Third-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Riverside Park pier, MOMA, Broadway shows
For dancers: Bloch, Capezio, Yumiko

Jesse Parker, Second-year jazz drummer

Favorite haunts: Jazz at Lincoln Center—amazing concerts and a jam session every Thursday
Advice: Make an effort to go to events outside your department and participate in the many things happening on campus
Fun fact: I’d never been on a plane or out of the country until I came to Juilliard

Reggie Turner, Fourth-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Halal cart at 66th and Columbus, Zurutto ramen
Division-specific: NYU-Langone Sports Medicine Centers
Fun fact: My sister and I are 15 years apart
Advice: Be open to new experiences and making friends in other divisions, and have a good balance between your training and making time for yourself—this keeps you sane and helps you experience life, which in turn helps your art form

Jasmine Sinnott-Klenotich, Third-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Old John’s Luncheonette, EA Dumpling, Shakespeare & Co, Gong Cha (boba), the Smith
Advice: Take pictures and videos and create time for self-care
Fun fact: I can recite the alphabet backward

Justinas Zlabys, Second-year composer

Favorite haunts: Amore Pizza, Jazz at Lincoln Center
Advice: Don’t rush—everyone looks like they are doing something, but you have time, and also, orientation week isn’t the only time to meet people

Josh Chapman, Second-year actor

Favorite haunt: Levain
For actors: Drama Book Shop
Advice: If you’re feeling stressed, go outside—a walk in Central Park will help way more than you think
Fun fact: I was in competition with my mother over the summer about who could knit the best hat

Kelvin Walters, Fourth-year jazz saxist

Favorite haunt: The bodega on 72nd St.
Places for reeds in Manhattan: J.L. Winds, John Baltimore, Sam Ash
Advice: Everyone operates differently—never compare your process to someone else’s

Natalie Wong, Orientation Chair, Fourth-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Grand Bazaar Flea Market, Tea Magic, Zurutto Ramen
For dancers: Capezio, Bloch, Uniqlo

Advice:
• You’re so much more than just your discipline
• What’s meant for you will come your way

Fun fact: I’ve been on the Food Network and Shark Tank

Julia Ciesielska, Fourth-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Mamman, Riverside and Central parks
Advice: Stay open, trust your skills, and take advantage of each opportunity
Fun fact: I love cold butter

Holden Kunowski, Third-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Chai Thai, Ole & Steen, Brooklyn Diner, Little Island

Advice:

• Embrace each class and every moment

• Every student here has earned their spot, including you! Your teachers see your potential and want to help you—take advantage of their guidance.

• Juilliard isn’t just a school, it’s a community. Lean on your peers and celebrate each other’s successes. Building strong relationships will enrich your experience and provide a support system during challenging times and may last a lifetime.

• Trust your uniqueness, and your hard work will do the rest

Mason Evans, Third-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Lisa’s Dumplings at the Columbus Circle subway station, L Train Vintage
For dancers: Yumiko store around the corner on Amsterdam
Advice: Trust yourself—and don’t be afraid to ask questions

Ellie Crawford, Third-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Target, Columbus Circle, the Amazon dropbox on Amsterdam, Shakespeare & Co., Trader Joe’s, the High Line

Advice:

• It’s ok to say no! Especially in the beginning of the year, there will be many things calling for your attention. FOMO is real, but there’s plenty of time to explore.

• Get sunshine when you can

• Don’t be afraid to also communicate with teachers and all available resources at Juilliard

Remember, everyone wants you to succeed

Fiorela Miria, Third-year singer

Favorite haunts: Grand Bazaar, Toribro Ramen, Goodwill near FIT
Division-specific: Juilliard Store, Westsider Records, Strings and Other Things
Advice: Freshman year is going to fly by, so stay organized and have a little fun
Fun facts: I love to cook, especially when listening to bossa nova, and I love interior design—anything to make a space more you

LaMonte Sadler, Second-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Tea Magic, Unique Boutique
Advice: Trust the process
Fun facts: I love ice cream and phone cases

Celia Wojcik, Second-year oboist

Favorite haunts: Cafe Paradiso, Dizzy’s
Advice: It’s ok to feel like you’re lost—we all do at some point. It might take a while—even all of semester one—to figure out how you work or live best. That’s what freshman year is for!
Fun fact: One of my hobbies is long-distance cycling

Xavier Logan, Orientation Chair, Fourth-year dancer

Fun fact: I was on The Vampire Diaries in high school

Guillermo Lopez, Second-year master’s jazz bassist

Favorite haunt: Sophie’s Cuban Cuisine
Advice: Take this new chapter one step at a time, and don’t be afraid to reach out if you need anything
Fun fact: My first instrument was the tuba

Jiaxun Yao, Fourth-year cellist

Advice: Let’s explore Juilliard and New York City together!
Fun fact: I’m from Qingdao, China, which is known for its world-renowned Tsingtao Beer

Angie Ramirez, Fourth-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Whole Foods, Chip City, Van Leeuwen, Juice Generation
Fun fact: I’ve lived in seven states

Alessandra Gonzalez, Second-year dancer

Favorite haunts: Rosetta Bakery, Color Me Mine Pottery
Advice: You are coming into one of the best communities ever. Never be scared to ask questions—enjoy every moment as much as you can and welcome to Juilliard!
Fun fact: I can’t handle spicy foods

Sean Edwards, Fourth-year percussionist

Favorite haunts: Made in New York Pizza, basketball courts, Hungry and Healthy Deli
Division-specific: Hire Juilliard Performers (HJP)
Advice: Be yourself