The Tianjin Juilliard School presented its first residency in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area from March 23 to 31. Bringing together Tianjin Juilliard’s resident faculty, graduate students, alumni, and guest artists, the residency featured performances, master classes, workshops, and a range of other events to engage the regional community.
From March 23 to 29, The Tianjin Juilliard School and the Xinghai Concert Hall presented a week-long Spring Music Festival in Guangzhou. On March 30, Juilliard and Tianjin Juilliard presented “The World Stage: Juilliard and the Global Language of Music” at Asia Society Hong Kong Center. On March 31, Tianjin Juilliard presented “One World, One Juilliard” celebration event at the Hong Kong Palace Museum, concluding the first Greater Bay Area residency.
Highlights and Reflections
Community Engagement in Guangzhou
A series of flash mob performances in public spaces marked the beginning of the Spring Music Festival. Graduate students from Tianjin Juilliard appeared in relay at Man Lap Fong Plaza, Ersha Island, bringing music into unexpected settings like a supermarket, a café, and a local eatery. Later in the week, the Qingxin Ensemble led a percussion workshop for students at the Special Education School affiliated with the Guangzhou Social Welfare Institute, connecting performance with outreach and extending music to everyday life.
Performances at Xinghai Concert Hall
From March 27 to 29, three mainstage concerts were presented at the Xinghai Concert Hall by the Tianjin Juilliard Ensemble, the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra, and the Qingxin Ensemble, alongside open rehearsals. Together, these events formed the core of the one-week residency and attracted a broad audience from across the region. The series of pre-concert talks offered audiences insight into the repertoire, providing context that supported a more informed and engaged listening experience.
Master Classes in Guangzhou
The educational dimension of the residency was further developed through two master classes in voice and flute. French soprano Norah Amsellem and resident flute faculty Gergely Ittzés led sessions at the Riverside space in the Xinghai Concert Hall. These sessions provided participants with focused, practice-based guidance, while fostering continued learning across geographical and cultural contexts.
Cross-cultural Dialogue in Hong Kong
On March 30, “The World Stage: Juilliard and the Global Language of Music” was held at Asia Society Hong Kong Center, exploring how music serves as a universal language that transcends borders and fosters cultural dialogue. Through fireside chats, dialogues, and audience Q&A, the event highlighted Juilliard’s enduring commitment to artistic excellence and global cultural understanding.
Tianjin Juilliard Celebration 2026
On March 31, 2026, Tianjin Juilliard presented “One World, One Juilliard” celebration event at the Hong Kong Palace Museum.
The event featured a special performance by Tianjin Juilliard faculty, alumni, students and guest artists, showcasing the artistic excellence of the school. Juilliard's President Damian Woetzel, President Emeritus and Chief China Officer Joseph W. Polisi, and Tianjin Juilliard CEO and Artistic Director Wei He and Dean Katherine Chu shared their visions and experiences with the guests and highlighted a shared commitment to nurturing young artists and strengthening cultural exchange through music.
Photo credit: The Tianjin Juilliard School, Xinghai Concert Hall