David Serkin Ludwig Named Dean and Director of Juilliard’s Music Division

David Serkin Ludwig

NEW YORK – Following an extensive search, Juilliard has named composer and alumnus David Serkin Ludwig as dean and director of Juilliard’s Music Division.

More details from Juilliard (www.juilliard.edu):

Ludwig, an alumnus of Juilliard (Graduate Diploma ’02, composition), comes from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he currently serves as the Gie and Lisa Liem Artistic Advisor to the President, chair of composition studies, director of Ensemble 20/21, and the artistic director of Curtis Summerfest. Ludwig will begin his transition to Juilliard on June 1, 2021.

As dean and director, Ludwig will oversee the artistic and educational activities of the Music Division. He will work closely with students, faculty, and administrators to lead the largest department and founding division of the school with a vision reflecting Juilliard’s values of excellence, creativity, and inclusiveness.

“This announcement heralds a new era for Juilliard’s Music Division as we appoint David Ludwig as its dean and director,” said President Damian Woetzel. “We look forward with great anticipation to David’s tenure, which promises both the continuation of Juilliard’s traditional distinction and an expansive vision for the future of music and the education of our young artists.”

The Music Division was previously led by Ara Guzelimian, who held the dual role of provost and dean and who remains at Juilliard as special advisor to the president. President Damian Woetzel has recast the leadership model to include Provost Adam Meyer and the new, dedicated role of dean and director for the Music Division.

“We are very excited to welcome David to Juilliard as dean and director of the Music Division. In this capacity, he’ll play a key artistic and educational role,” Meyer said. “David is uniquely skilled as an artist, teacher, composer, and administrator. He brings deep artistic knowledge and a commitment to excellence and education to this important position in the school.”

“Working with students is an incredibly rewarding and vital part of my life,” Ludwig said. “As an artist and educator, I am thrilled to be returning to Juilliard to work with students, faculty, and staff to help build school community and engage audiences in New York and around the world.”

Juilliard’s search consultant was Isaacson, Miller, which led a broad national search over the course of the last eight months. The search process included advisory committees reflecting the breadth of the Juilliard community with representatives from the faculty, staff, student body, administrative leadership, and trustees. During the search process, Guzelimian served as interim dean and director of the Music Division until February, when he returned to his ongoing role as special advisor to the president. From March to June, the role of interim dean and director is being filled by Benjamin Sosland, who is also the administrative director of the Historical Performance department.

Juilliard’s Music Division offers degree programs in all orchestral instruments, piano and organ, guitar, and collaborative piano; Vocal Arts; Jazz; Historical Performance; composition; and orchestral conducting. The division enrolls approximately 700 students from 45 countries and has a distinguished faculty of 360 full and part-time members.

Students in Juilliard’s Music Division receive individualized instruction from the school’s superb faculty and distinguished visiting artists, and there are numerous and unique performance opportunities at the school and at Lincoln Center as well as around New York City, the country, and the world. Alumni of the division hold positions in nearly every major U.S. orchestra and in notable chamber ensembles; have won countless awards and competitions; are faculty members and administrators throughout the U.S. and the world; and have had their compositions premiered by major performance ensembles worldwide.