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In 1992, renowned choreographer Bessie Schönberg joined the Juilliard faculty, serving until her death, in May 1997. It was actually her second Juilliard stint; she also taught dance at Juilliard from 1947 to 1949—before the Dance Division even existed! In this photo by Henry Grossman, probably from the spring of 1994, she is surrounded by dancers. Can you identify any of them? Let us know at (212) 799-5000, ext. 340, or journal@juilliard.edu.
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The answer: (all the students pictured received their degrees in 1996): back row, from left: accompanist Gary Sojkowski, Pablo Francisco Ruvalcaba, Pawel Cheda, teacher Bessie Schönberg, Toshiko Oiwa (with head turned), and Chad Bantner. Front row, from left: Tracy Dickson Mendez, Natalie Desch, and Amy Young Kleinendorst. Thanks to Bantner, Jay Franke (B.F.A. ’97, dance), Kleinendorst, Pablo Piantino (B.F.A. ’99), and former faculty member Elizabeth Keen for contacting us.
A number of alums contacted us about the October mystery photo, which was of longtime piano faculty member Josef Raieff (seated center) posing with students, presumably in the mid-1960s. Many thanks!
And here are the names of the students in the September photo. From left, Timothy R. Blevins (M.M. ’92, voice), Cedric Harris (Group 22), and Lee Burkhart (M.M. ’91, tuba). Thanks to J. D. Webster (M.M. ’93, voice), Aaron Flagg (B.M. ’92, M.M. ’93, trumpet), Paul Dennis (B.F.A. ’90, dance), and Richard Schaadt (B.M. ’93, M.M. ’95, trumpet) for contacting us.
