The Juilliard School held its annual Benefit for Scholarship celebration with ranging performances by alumni, faculty and students alike in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater on Wednesday.
The event raised a record total of $2.5 million, an $800,000 increase from 2024. The 1.5 hour performance, directed by Arnhold Creative Associate at Large and Distinguished Visiting Faculty Jamar Roberts, showcased the very talent that the scholarships would benefit. In line with the school’s mission to be completely tuition free in coming years. Following the performance, donors were also welcomed to an after party in Alice Tully Hall, with live music from the Juilliard Fiddle Club.
After opening the evening with a grandiose tribute by Juilliard’s orchestra to composer and alum John Williams, widely known for his music in “Jaws,” the “Star Wars” franchise and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” President of The Juilliard School, Damian Woetzel, stepped out to thank donors.
“Thank you, to all of you who are here to say you believe in what is happening here; that the world of art matters,” Woetzel said in his opening remarks. “Education itself that evolves, that keeps taste, that meets the bones and moves us forward, with that tradition driving innovation, cannot only be for those who can afford it.”
Notably, American cellist and Juilliard precollege alum Yo-Yo Ma joined faculty members as a surprise guest performer in their rendition of Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Eroica.” Afterwards, he joined Woetzel onstage to discuss Juilliard’s artistic legacy.
“Juilliard is in the business of awe and wonder,” Ma said after playing. “We have enough security and trust built amongst faculty, students, administration to dare to imagine what other people say is impossible.”
Performances showcased talent from across Juilliard’s many departments, from a scene from William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by senior acting students to a musical arrangement of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Coffee Cantata” by the historical performance department. Beyond that, audiences were also privy to an excerpt of a Juilliard extension course with a faculty member and the impressive skill of a precollege violinist from a member of the class of 2033. Tickets to the event were sold for $375, with all proceeds going directly to scholarship funds.
In April 2025, Juilliard announced its plan for the conservatory to be completely tuition free in the coming years. At the moment, tuition for undergraduates and graduate students is $55,500 annually. More than 90% of students receive financial aid, with tuition being fully covered for 40% of students this academic year. Additionally, the school already has some tuition free programs, such as graduate acting and historical performance.
“That idea that we rest on the shoulders of tradition to lead to innovation is at the heart of what we do,” Woetzel said. “It’s at the heart of education. It’s at the heart of what we do, and it’s at the heart of what you are supporting tonight.”
(Feature photo courtesy of Rosalie O’Connor.)