Juilliard Takes Its Extension Division to the Perfect Audience

A new initiative will unite the Juilliard Extension Division with a Sunrise Senior Living community on Manhattan’s Upper East Side to provide live, in-person instruction to residents. During the academic year, three 12-week semesters will offer a dozen one-hour weekly classes taught by Juilliard Extension’s dance, drama, and music faculty members. Sunrise residents may also watch 10 livestreamed or on-demand Juilliard performances with Juilliard Extension-led Q&A sessions. There is no fee to residents; presumably Sunrise has paid a lump sum to Juilliard.

It's a clever idea—what better audience for the traditional arts than a demographic that not only grew up with them but now has lots of leisure time on its hands. Plus, it’s a senior arts lover’s ideal: you don’t have to physically go anywhere to get your culture fix.

In describing the program’s benefits, John-Morgan Bush, dean of Juilliard Extension, noted, “We know that engaging in the performing arts can have a profound impact on our emotional and psychological well-being. The performing arts foster social connection, a sense of belonging, curiosity, and meaningful relationships while nurturing mental health.”

The Sunshine community on East 56^th Street is one of 274 communities in the United States and Canada serving over 28,000 residents.