Damian Woetzel

Damian Woetzel is the seventh president of The Juilliard School, where he champions excellence, prioritizes affordability and access to the highest level of artistic education, and is leading a historic campaign to make the world’s leading conservatory tuition-free. Since beginning his tenure in July 2018, Damian has brought a new generation of artistic leadership, opened the school’s first branch campus in Tianjin, China, and expanded the school’s footprint with Juilliard Station, providing free public performances as Lincoln Center’s newest venue. One of the foremost ballet dancers of his time, Damian retired in 2008 from a 20-year career as an acclaimed principal dancer with New York City Ballet and on the international stage. He holds an M.P.A. from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and has been a visiting lecturer at Harvard Law School.

About The Juilliard School

The Juilliard School is dedicated to rigorous artistic training in music, dance, and drama, launching new generations of artists and creative trailblazers to define and redefine culture. Students are challenged to grow collaboratively and as individuals, and as part of their education, perform works ranging from venerated masterpieces to new creations by today’s important artistic voices. As the world’s leading multidisciplinary conservatory, Juilliard steadily expands its aperture to embrace innovation in its programs, and aims to become tuition-free for all of its students.