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| The Juilliard School Turns 100 The Juilliard School, world-renowned conservatory of dance, drama, and music, turns 100 today. Juilliard's first classes for musicians took place this day in 1905. 100 years later, Julliard continues to inspire the public by educating artists who stretch the boundaries of dance, theater, and film, as well as jazz, and classical music. Collectively, Juilliard alumni have won more than 100 Grammys, 57 Tonys, 35 Emmys, 22 Oscars, and 12 Pulitzer Prizes. Alumni include: David Auburn, Van Cliburn, Renee Fleming, Laura Linney, Lar Lubovitch, Yo-Yo Ma, Wynton Marsalis, Audra McDonald, Midori, Itzhak Perlman, Leontyne Price, Kevin Spacey, Paul Taylor, and Robin Williams. Actor Kevin Spacey reflected, "In the years since leaving Juilliard I would often experience a moment... something I had learned, picked up or digested at Juilliard would suddenly have meaning for me... this is what makes Juilliard such a storehouse of great teachers and experience -- the fact that the teaching still goes on -- throughout a career." Alumnus Wynton Marsalis, jazz trumpeter, Juilliard teacher and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, said, "Juilliard has been transforming the lives of aspirant artists for a solid century. The finest young artists come from their environments all over the world to discover how to transform talent into first class artistry. The Juilliard experience does this over and over again." Val Kilmer, also a Juilliard acting alumnus, recalls, "The strong foundation and high standards that the faculty gave me has affected all aspects of my life virtually every day since my first day of school at Juilliard. There is no greater gift than the gift to inspire, and I was inspired every day by my classmates, the environment and the faculty." Today's centennial festivities include a Juilliard Orchestra concert at Carnegie Hall and the lighting of the Empire State Building in Juilliard's colors of red and blue. "The School has a national and international legacy that has immeasurably enriched the performing arts. The centennial year will celebrate this legacy through education, performance and the creation of new work, " said Joseph W. Polisi, President of Juilliard. "I look forward to having the local community, the country, and world join us in celebrating Juilliard's centennial with the exciting performances and events that will permeate this special year." write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |