Wynton Marsalis has been appointed as the Director of Jazz Studies at Juilliard.
The Trumpeter, who is also the Managing and Artistic Director for Jazz at Lincoln Center -and a Juilliard Alum-, will oversee the spring 2014 auditions and admissions process before officially starting his role on July 1, 2014.
Juilliard and Jazz at Lincoln Center have had a strong relationship ever since the first jazz studies class at the institution, which was originally intended as a pre-professional program for advanced jazz musicians created in collaboration with the Center.
This new appointment will strengthen this partnership by allowing students greater access to JALC’s education programs, alongside opportunities to perform at JALC venues. Students will also have the opportunity to take part in audience development activities, learning about social media and digital marketing while increasing the profile of Jazz in wider american culture.
In a statement, Juilliard president Joseph W. Polisi said: “Juilliard always is open to new initiatives and programs that benefit our students, prepare them for a long and successful career, and strengthen our relationships with the professional community that surrounds us.”
Marsalis succeeds drummer Carl Allen, who has been the Artistic Director of Jazz Studies at Juilliard since 2008.
Established in 1905, the Juilliard performing arts conservatory is widely considered to hold one of the most prestigious arts programs in the world, particularly for classical performers. However, despite its rich musical history it is new to the world of jazz education, having established its jazz studies program just 12 years ago, in 2001.
Watch Wynton Marsalis talk about his introduction to Classical music below:
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