I had a really amazing teacher who inspired me to listen to jazz music. I don’t remember ever making the decision to become a musician because there was just no question about it. I just knew.
Jordan Pettay, master's saxophone student

    
I decided to become an actor because this is the only thing I’m good at—I’m not good at anything else.
Noah Averbach-Katz, second-year actor

I started on the piano, but it was more my mom’s thing than mine. I remember when I was in Korea, I saw this violinist on TV and I fell in love with the violin. That’s when I decided that I wanted to become a violinist.
Mina Um, fourth-year violinist

    
My sister was a dancer and I knew her dances better than she did—and I wanted to be just like her—so that’s why I became a dancer.
Jason Collins, fourth-year dancer

    
I love the sound of the cello and I really enjoy playing.
Hyewon Kim, third-year cellist

    
When I started singing, I found out that I was good at it, and since I like to do things that I’m good at, I just kept at it. Then I auditioned for Juilliard and left it up to the outcome. I got in and that was the defining moment.
Joshua Simka, third-year singer