Setting a musical course

The school, which is located along the Haihe River, is about one hour from the capital by high-speed train. All of the courses will be taught in English by resident faculty members from seven countries, including Germany, South Korea, the US and China.

The Tianjin Juilliard School project started in 2015 when China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, visited the Juilliard School in New York while accompanying President Xi Jinping on his weeklong state visit to the US.

Founded in 1905, the school has trained some of the world's best artists, including Van Cliburn, Renee Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma. It has enrolled students from China since the 1920s. Currently, 30 percent of its student body hail from outside of the US with students from China forming the largest single group from overseas.

"It was a historic moment for the Juilliard School and since then (Peng's visit in 2015), we have been working closely with our partners in Tianjin, including the Tianjin Conservatory of Music, to make the project a reality," says Joseph Polisi, the school's sixth, and longest-serving, president. Polisi-a bassoon player-took up his position at Juilliard in 1984.

He adds that, besides music technique training, the school requires students to be involved in community outreach, such as working with hospitals and senior centers." It will be our first campus outside New York, and will offer an authentic Juilliard experience for students.

"Artists have responsibilities beyond the stage. They understand themselves, and humanity, through art," he says. "It's also a core value of the New York school."

Yu says: "I am honored to be a member of the advisory council. The school will provide Chinese musical students with great opportunities and will furnish Chinese symphony orchestras with great and talented musicians.

"In 20 years, we will see how the school influences China's musical education."