The Tianjin Juilliard School has named current artistic director and dean Wei He as its next CEO from the end of the 2021-22 academic year, when current executive director and CEO Alexander Brose steps down. Katherine Chu, who currently chairs The Tianjin Juilliard School’s Collaborative Piano department and has been serving as the interim associate dean for academic and student affairs, will become dean.
In his new role, He will oversee Juilliard’s 300-strong community of staff, faculty, and students in Tianjin, leading the joint-venture institution in bringing innovative approaches to music education throughout the region, and strengthening Juilliard’s global presence in Asia. He will continue serving as artistic director and on the school’s violin and chamber music faculty on a limited basis.
Chu, a distinguished vocal coach, pianist, educator, and administrator both in the US and China, has served on the faculty of Tianjin Juilliard since the school’s inception. As dean, she will play a key role in institutional relations, faculty management, overseeing academic and student affairs, and leading performance activities and operations.
President of Juilliard Damian Woetzel said, ‘Alex Brose and Wei He have brought Juilliard’s pre-eminent training and teaching to Tianjin and the region. On behalf of Juilliard, I sincerely thank Alex for his years of service in developing The Tianjin Juilliard School and for paving the way towards an even brighter future for our campus in Tianjin.
‘I am also delighted that Wei and Katherine Chu will continue to lead the school to greater heights through strengthening our artistic partnerships in the region, spearheading lifelong learning initiatives through our educational programs, and broadening access to Juilliard’s rich tradition of performing arts education in Asia.’
Alexander Brose said, ‘It has been the honour of a lifetime helping to build the community and culture of The Tianjin Juilliard School. Despite opening during a global pandemic, the school is thriving and achieving exactly what we hoped to accomplish as Juilliard’s branch campus. I couldn’t be happier that my esteemed colleagues Wei and Katherine will be leading the organisation.’
Wei He said, ‘It has been an extraordinary journey to work with Alex on this visionary institution which bridges cultures through music. I am extremely honored to lead Tianjin Juilliard into its next phase together with Katherine as the dean. I am excited to continue building artistic collaboration, performance outreach, community engagement as well as lifelong learning initiatives.’
The members of Tianjin Juilliard’s inaugural graduate studies class will receive their Juilliard degrees in May 2022.
