Juilliard Dance Division Poised for Expansion as School Pursues Tuition-Free Model
New York, NY – Juilliard School is embarking on a multiyear fundraising campaign with the ambitious goal of eliminating tuition for all students, a move that promises to dramatically reshape access to its renowned dance division.while a firm timeline for full implementation remains dependent on fundraising success – the school has already secured $180 million towards the effort – the initiative signals a significant shift towards broader inclusivity at the prestigious conservatory.
Currently, 29 percent of all Juilliard students attend tuition-free, and some programs, like the graduate acting track, already operate on this model.School President Damian Woetzel, a former New York City Ballet star, believes extending tuition-free access will unlock a wider pool of talent. “We’ve seen what happens in the other programs that are tuition-free,” Woetzel stated. “The applications go up, the sense of prospect and the range goes wider, and you end up with a glorious pool of talent.” He further emphasized his belief that “art is a public good,” and this initiative is a concrete step towards realizing that principle.
The transition to a tuition-free model will be phased, with increases in scholarship availability occurring “on a rolling basis” and perhaps driven by gifts designated for specific programs like dance, or benefiting the entire school. Woetzel, who himself received a scholarship early in his ballet training “as they needed boys,” views the initiative as “the ultimate anti-elitist statement,” focused on talent growth and removing financial barriers to entry. He added, “It’s about making sure your not saddled with debt when you leave.”
The news arrives alongside significant leadership changes within the dance division. Melissa Toogood, a lauded former Merce Cunningham dancer, assumed the role of dean in July, succeeding Alicia Graf Mack who departed to lead Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Further bolstering the division’s faculty are new appointments including Mario Alberto Zambrano as associate dean and director, Carla Körbes (former Pacific Northwest Ballet star) as ballet chair, and choreographer Jamar Roberts (a former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater standout) as the program’s Arnhold Creative Associate at Large.
Woetzel expressed confidence in Toogood’s vision,describing her as “one of the most curious people I know” who champions a broad and inclusive approach to dance education. Ultimately, Woetzel hopes the initiative will inspire prospective students to view Juilliard as attainable.”So manny more people can see it as a possibility,” he saeid. “That’s really key-the idea that someone would think it’s not possible as of money is absolutely unacceptable. culture is what binds us, and it can’t just be culture for those who can afford it.”