The Enrichment for Practicing Musicians (EPM) program is designed for students who are musically admissible to The Tianjin Juilliard School’s Master of Music degree programs (Chamber Music Studies or Orchestral Studies), but whose English is not yet ready for graduate degree entry.

Taking place over one academic year, EPM is a program designed to provide professional development for practicing musicians and/or recent Bachelor of Music graduates anywhere in the world seeking high-caliber musical training and preparation to enter a master’s program at a western institution, including Tianjin Juilliard.  Students admitted to the EPM program must have earned the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree and have been approved by performance faculty as ready for master’s degree programs musically. 

The performance requirements, depending on the major instrumental area, include activities such as orchestra and ensemble classes, subject to institutional need and studio faculty approval.

Please note:

• The EPM program is a non-matriculated program.
• The EPM program will NOT train students how to improve their scores on the IELTS or TOEFL exams or administer practice tests related to these exams. If students are interested in this, they must pursue such study independently and outside of the EPM program, on their own time and at their own cost.
• It is designed to serve as a “gap year” for students who are considering the next educational or professional step in their career as a classical musician.
• The EPM program is not transferable to any other programs offered by Juilliard or Tianjin Juilliard. Applicants interested in the Master of Music degree program must re-apply and re-audition.
   

Eligibility

In order to be admitted as an EPM Program student, you must have:

• A bachelor's degree or its equivalent by the time you matriculate (generally including at least 24 credits in liberal arts subjects
• Musical training at a high level
• Minimum IELTS/TOEFL official scores (IELTS 4.0/TOEFL 31 or higher); an English Level Proficiency interview may be required if applicants have low speaking and/or listening scores
   

Cost of Living

In addition to tuition costs listed above, we have provided estimated costs for living expenses in Tianjin, including the cost of housing and health insurance. Please note that these are estimates provided for planning purposes only and are subject to change for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Estimated Cost of Living (Chinese Nationals)

Estimated Cost of Living (International Students)

The Enrichment for Practicing Musicians program is now accepting applications for Fall 2025 admission. Click here to apply!

Eligibility

• A bachelor's degree or its equivalent by the time you matriculate (generally including at least 24 credits in liberal arts subjects)
• Musical training at a high level
• English language proficiency that meets our outlined requirements

Please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@tianjinjuilliard.edu.cn if you are unsure about your eligibility.

Application Timeline
 

_{*Most Recent Official English Language Test Score: This test score must be delivered to us directly from the testing company but does not need to be passing: It will serve to indicate your most recent level of English language proficiency.}

The following items are only required if you are invited to a live audition:

<sub>*In order to be considered for institutional aid, you must fill out the CSS Profile with the institutional code 2356, found on the College Board website. Only those who pass pre-screening will be required to complete the CSS Profile, which must be completed by March 1, 2025. Please see the Scholarship page for more information.

**Final Official English Language Test Score: This test score must be delivered to us directly from the testing company and should meet our test score</sub>

Application Materials

Online Application

To begin, create your Tianjin Juilliard admissions account, gather the required application materials, and follow the instructions to complete your application. 

Application Fee 

The 770 RMB* application fee is non-refundable and must be paid through your application status page upon submission of your application. Your application is not considered complete until the fee has been received.

_{*When paying with Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or PayPal, the amount will be approximately $110 USD assuming an exchange rate of 7 RMB to $1 USD. The actual amount charged to your account may vary slightly due to fluctuations in the exchange rate.}

Guidelines for Pre-Screening Recordings 

All applicants to the EPM program are required to submit pre-screening recordings as part of their application. Faculty will review the recordings and, if you pass the pre-screening round, you will be invited to a final audition.

Pre-screening requirements and repertoire for the Enrichment for Practicing Musicians program is the same as for the Master of Music in Orchestral Studies. Please click here for a complete list of repertoire for all majors.

Artistic Résumé

Your Artistic Résumé should follow a general résumé format. The résumé should be 1-2 pages, and include the following information:

• Your educational background (including private teachers with whom you have studied)
• Significant performance experiences
• Professional orchestra and ensemble experiences (include chair/seating)
• Summer programs/festivals (include year(s) of attendance)
• Competitions, prizes and awards
• Any other information you would like to share with the Admissions Committee 

Transcripts

Transcripts are an important part of the decision process and help us determine if you are prepared to succeed in coursework at the graduate level. Transcripts for all post-secondary coursework, including all grades earned and courses in progress must be received by December 15, 2024. If you are currently enrolled in a program, this transcript should include your fall semester grades. The transcript may be an official copy sent directly by your institution. It can also be either a scanned copy of your transcript as provided to you by your school’s registrar or downloaded from your online student account. Please do not send screenshots. If you are choosing to upload scanned copies, they can be uploaded directly to your application status page after you submit your application. If your transcript is not in English, we require the transcript in its original language as well as a translation.

Recommendations

In your application you will be required to identify two individuals who will provide your recommendations. These recommendations should:

• Be from a teacher, conductor, coach, or artistic mentor
• Address your talent and accomplishments
• Discuss the following individual characteristics that indicate potential for success in the field: perseverance, dedication, collegiality, and leadership

The recommendations are due February 15. Your recommenders will receive an email with a link to securely upload their recommendations to our application system. We will only accept recommendations received through our application system.

Final Auditions

Applicants who pass the pre-screening round will be invited to register for a final audition. Final auditions will take place in Tianjin and at select regional locations. Applicants unable to travel to a live audition location must contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@tianjinjuilliard.edu.cn to discuss the circumstances and reasons they cannot audition live, and to request approval of an alternative audition modality.

Repertoire requirements, audition dates and locations are the same as for the Master of Music in Orchestral Studies for individuals.
Click here to learn more.

English Language Proficiency (ELP)

The ability to communicate in English fluently, especially with a high degree of skill in speaking, listening, and reading, is an important factor in admissions decisions. We assess your English language abilities using the following criteria:

• The results of a standardized English language proficiency test, either TOEFL or IELTS
• Your previous academic record

Applicants with an official test score between 31-80 TOEFL or 4.0-6.0 IELTS will be considered for admission to EPM. An interview with the Director of English Language Studies may be required in certain circumstances.

Submitting Official Test Scores

The official test scores must be sent electronically directly from the testing company and received by the Office of Admissions at The Tianjin Juilliard School by the appropriate deadlines listed below. Please note that when requesting official test scores from the testing company, you should search for “Tianjin Juilliard” in the school list for score delivery. For TOEFL, you can also find us using the institution code C513. 

¹Most recent official test score: This test score must be sent to The Tianjin Juilliard School directly from the testing company but does not need to be passing. It will serve to indicate your most recent level of ELP.

²Final official test score: This test score must be delivered to Tianjin Juilliard directly from the testing company and should meet our test score requirements.
 

Consultative Lessons

Consultative lessons give you the opportunity to meet and work with Tianjin Juilliard faculty during the admissions process. Consultative lessons should be viewed as a way for you to learn about a teacher’s style and pedagogical approach; they are not mandatory, and do not influence admission.

The Tianjin Juilliard School offers consultative lessons based on faculty availability and other factors. Consultative lessons will generally take place on our new Tianjin campus. It may be possible to take an online lesson. The fee for a 60-minute lesson is 1800 RMB. To request a consultative lesson, please fill out a form here.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@tianjinjuilliard.edu.cn.