Tips for New Students

Welcome! We asked graduating and continuing students and orientation leaders to share tips and advice for the incoming class.

Collaborative piano doctoral student Francesco Barfoed (MM ’22)
Do everything you want to do. Take all the classes you want to take, create all the art you want to create with the people you want to work with, and stay curious. Be as busy as you can (but take care of yourself!). And if you’re a singer or an instrumentalist, get to know some collabs; we’re very nice people and would love nothing more than to work with you!

Nyoka Wotorson (BFA ’24, dance)
Have fun but know that this is work and be willing to put in the time necessary to meet your potential. Also, everyone has imposter syndrome—my advice is to keep going and feign confidence (no one will know!).

Joshua Woolard (MAP ’24, trombone)
Listen to your teacher—they know what they’re talking about and everything they do is done in your best interest. br

Fourth-year violinist Bo Pang
Academic courses and daily practice both require a healthy body to support them, and when we get sick or injured, everything needs to come to an absolute stop. A healthy schedule and exercise accompanied by proper relaxation are necessary!

Amber Ginmi Scherer (MM ’24, collaborative piano) 
Trust yourself! You know what boundaries and support you need, so ask for them, even when it seems scary to advocate for yourself.

Singer Gillian Margot (MM ’24, jazz studies) 
This will be an intense experience and it might seem overwhelming at first. So take one task, one note, one step at a time, and trust that you will finish each year stronger and more skilled than you expected. Also remember to get outside and take in some nature for balance.

Daniel Velez (BFA ’24, drama)
Let yourself feel every emotion. Ride the current and have fun.

Violinist Lindsie Katz (MM ’24, historical performance) 
Learn what you need to not only survive but also thrive in a very intense environment. Stand up for yourself, listen to yourself, find people you feel good with, and trust that you know what’s best for you.

Second-year master’s violinist Sahana Shavran (BM ’23)
You’ll be ok! You’re not the only one who feels overwhelmed by work or rehearsal or the need to make friends. It took me a while to find my community at Juilliard; have faith that you will find your people and your tribe! It can be scary to put yourself out there and try new things, but it’s worth it. I firmly believe that something not going the way you wanted is not a problem—it’s a learning. Try everything!

Fourth-year jazz trombonist Nick Mesler
Throw yourself into the school and the community, don’t isolate, and try not to complain too much. And I’m an approachable resource, so feel free to introduce yourself and ask any questions you might have!

Pre-College violinist Elizabeth (Poppy) Song 
This is a wonderful place—you’re about to have a great time! Enjoy as much as you can because time flies. And make sure you click the lock button on your practice room, otherwise someone might come along and kick you out.

Baritone Shavon Lloyd (MM ’24, voice)
If the pressures of being a musician start getting to you, go back to the reason you wanted to study music—the original passion that lit the fire in you—and explore that. Having done that recently, I’ve come out the other side much happier and enthusiastic about continuing this journey.

Barnard-Columbia-Juilliard exchange violinist Jessica Wu (Pre-College ’22)
Don’t be afraid to question your repertoire. It’s amazing that we have so much information on traditions of performing certain repertoire, but now is a time for personal growth and inquiry. While respecting such traditions, how can we personalize such ideas to make them our own? How do we as individuals understand the score? How can we further our lines of thought each time we approach our repertoire? How can we open ourselves to the infinite possibilities of performance? Without questions, there is no inquiry. Without inquiry, there is no critical thinking. Without critical thinking, there is no growth. Without growth there is no trajectory.

Third-year hornist Andrew Arloro
Hurry up, but take your time. When you hurry up, you’re focused, but when you take your time, you can do it right. And do what you love and love what you do.

Harpsichordist Elené Tabagari (MM ’24, historical performance)
Be kind to yourself, stay hydrated, and care for your physical and mental health as much as you care about your instrument. And if you do compare yourself, let it be comparing your growth to your past self instead of to your colleagues—learn from them instead.