Juilliard President to speak in Korea

By Do Je-hae

Joseph W. Polisi, president of the Juilliard School, will be a main speaker at the upcoming Global HR Forum 2010 to be held Oct. 27-28 in Seoul.

The distinguished educator will take part in a plenary session on Oct 27, centered on the theme “Imperative: Sense of Global Citizenship and Social Responsibility.”

An avid speaker and writer, Polisi has often emphasized the social responsibility of artists in nurturing the artistic potential of children in their communities.

He penned the book “The Artist as Citizen” January 2005 and recently published “American Muse: The Life and Times of William Schuman.”

Polisi is a trained bassoonist and received a Ph.D in musical arts from Yale University. He received a B.A. in political science from the University of Connecticut and subsequently received an M.A. in international relations from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, at Tufts University.

He has served as the president of the Juilliard School since 1984. He is known for the Campaign for Juilliard program, a $150 million project dedicated to increasing student financial aid and faculty compensation.

Previously, he held senior posts at Yale School of Music, Manhattan School of Music and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

Founded in 1905, the Juilliard School in New York is one of the most prestigious institutes of performing arts around the world.

Notable Korean graduates include violinists Chung Kyung-wha, Sarah Chang and Chee Yun, cellist Chang Han-na and conductor Chung Myung-whun.

Organized by the education ministry in cooperation with private corporations, the Global HR Forum is an international forum held annually in Seoul since 2006, bringing together international leaders in business, politics and academia.