An alumnus of Oberlin College, the University of Vienna, Manhattan School of Music, the University of Pennsylvania, Curtis Institute of Music and Juilliard itself, David Serkin Ludwig has earned a worthy reputation for promoting diversity and inclusion in music.
He was a board member of the Women’s Sacred Music project, the Primavera Fund, which challenges inequity in classical music through financial and mentoring support, and the Adolf Busch Award, named after his great grandfather, which celebrates organisations promoting justice and civil rights through music.
He comes to the role after some years as the Curtis Institute’s Artistic Advisor to the President, Chair of Composition Studies, Director of Ensemble and Artistic Director of Curtis Summerfest. There, he also played a central role in commissioning and performing contemporary music and creating online courses through the pandemic.
He also led a joint summer youth composition programme between Curtis, Juilliard and Cleveland Institute for Music, The Sphinx Performance Academy.
A respected composer, Ludwig’s work has been commissioned and performed by numerous artists and ensembles, as well as in films such as Michael Almereyda’s ‘Cymbelline’. As Provost Adam Meyer said, Ludwig 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.’
His role at Juilliard will include oversight of all artistic and educational activities in music. As Juilliard President, Damian Woetzel commented, the role ‘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.’
Ludwig takes over the role from Ara Guzelimian, who had served as interim Dean and Director. Guzelimian continues as special advisor the the school’s president. On accepting the position, Ludwig said, ‘I am thrilled to be returning to Juilliard to help build school community and engage audiences in New York and around the world.’
