My second fall semester at Juilliard

My second academic year at the Juilliard School of Music in New York started in early September. It was nice to see my school pals and buddies again. We will no longer be considered “freshmen” this year, and nobody will ask us whether we are in our first year with a sarcastic smile.

My second academic year at the Juilliard School of Music in New York started in early September. It was nice to see my school pals and buddies again. We will no longer be considered “freshmen” this year, and nobody will ask us whether we are in our first year with a sarcastic smile.

I had registered for my fall semester subjects while still in the spring semester, so we just jumped on in the rhythm and tempo where we left off at the end of last year. My subjects for this year are: Literature and Theory III – Composition of the 19th Century, Music History, and Arts – a philosophy seminar. I am continuing my involvement in the Juilliard Symphony Orchestra and two chamber music ensembles (a piano quartet and a duo). Beginning this semester, I am also on the “Lab Orchestra” – a practice orchestra for student conductors. I had a lesson with my teacher, Professor Glenn Dicterow, a concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic, on the very second day. My lessons with him are amazing – it’s almost unreal. We work together every week and it just keeps getting better every time.

Alan Gilbert, Chief Conductor and Music Director of the New York Philharmonic, took over the baton for the school orchestra this year. Based on my test scores, I was included in his concert series. We’ve already had our first rehearsals with him. Working with someone who has been as successful as Alan Gilbert is an incredible experience. He’s an amazing example of how a relatively young person can make it all the way to the top. The fact that he became the conductor of the Juilliard Symphony Orchestra has brought many globally renowned guest artists who performed with the New York Philharmonic to our school. This year, we had the following legends here: conductors Kurt Masur and Bernard Haitink as well as pianists Jeffrey Kahane and Jeremy Denk. It was unreal having an opportunity to work with them and listen to their ideas. This is what makes our school so special. I am happy to be here thanks to The Kellner Family Foundation.

More blog articles

All news