From a six-year-old who first picked up the violin through Venezuela's renowned El Sistema (The National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras and Choirs) to a Dean’s List graduate of Tianjin Juilliard, Mary Eli Palencia Brito (MM ’26, Instrumental and Orchestral Studies, violin) has built a multifaceted musical life defined by artistry, curiosity, and service.
In Venezuela, she received rigorous musical training, taught violin in rural communities, and performed professionally with leading orchestras. Her journey reflects the many roles a musician can embrace— not only as a performer, but also as an educator, a collaborator, and an advocate for music to enrich communities.
Mary’s connection with Tianjin Juilliard began in 2023 through the school’s Performer’s Certificate Program. The following year, she was awarded a full scholarship to pursue a Master of Music degree. Studying abroad and performing alongside musicians from around the world challenged her to listen more deeply, communicate across cultures, and approach music from new perspectives. As she completes her Master of Music in Instrumental and Orchestral Studies, Mary reflects on the experiences that have shaped her artistry and personal growth.
Looking back at your time at Tianjin Juilliard, what stands out as a particularly memorable experience?
Preparing for school orchestra tours and performing in chamber ensembles were defining experiences for me. Although I already had experience playing in ensembles, I was constantly challenged to engage with music on a deeper level and to develop a stronger understanding of collaboration and artistic expression at Tianjin Juilliard. I learned to develop my musical intentions, strengthen my listening skills, and take greater artistic responsibility within an ensemble.
Can you share a particular challenge you faced during your studies, and what did you learn from that experience?
The biggest challenge was the language. It was my first time taking classes entirely in English, and my violin professor is also American, so I had to quickly expand my vocabulary and improve my communication skills. I overcame this challenge by pushing myself to speak more, read as much as possible, and embrace every opportunity to learn. That experience taught me that perseverance and responsibility are essential to overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals.
As a recent graduate, what advice would you give to incoming students?
Time passes much faster than expected, so make the most of every opportunity and cherish every performance as if it were your last. Stay curious, ask questions, and absorb as much knowledge as you can. Being part of this amazing community is an experience you will carry with you for the rest of your life.
During her time in China, Mary performed with the Tianjin Juilliard Orchestra in Tianjin, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou, and toured seven cities with the Vienna Johann Strauss Operette. As she begins the next chapter of her career, sharing music – through lifelong learning, teaching, and performance – remains at the heart of everything she does.