In mid-August, I sat in my office and wondered if I had the energy to get through another Orientation. Move-in day arrived, and more than 100 new students moved into the Residence Hall. The next day, another 100-plus new commuter students arrived at the School to check in for “Orientation 2-Double 0-7.” They maneuvered their way around the plaza to find the secret door to the School, or navigated their way around scaffolding to find our new main entrance on West 66th Street. Space was tight, but the student staff kept their energy high. The new students started their Juilliard journey with a warm welcome from President Polisi and Dean Guzelimian. From then on, they hula-hooped across Studio 334; got hypnotized; ventured to the Bronx to cheer on the New York Yankees; crossed the Brooklyn Bridge; rowed boats in Central Park; took placement exams; made friends; met Lauretta in the cafeteria; learned how to survive on a student budget in the city; asked questions; learned to navigate the subway system; and took photos of the Statue of Liberty during a perfect sunset on the Circle Line Cruise. The new students, along with orientation and residence life staff, began classes on September 6 and—as they do every year—injected me with their enthusiasm and energy that sustains me all year. Welcome to School  … The Juilliard School!

-Sabrina Tanbara, Director of Student Affairs