The Juilliard School President Joseph W. Polisi and Dean of Studies Ara Guzelimian give a talk at the Shanghai Conservatory of Music in October 2016.

Joseph W. Polisi, president of The Juilliard School in New York City, gave a talk to the students and teachers of the Shanghai Conservatory of Music on October 21, 2016. Professor Yang Yandi hosted the talk show.

The American music educator talked about his book “The Artist as Citizen” and had a dialogue with his colleague Ara Guzelimia, the dean of studies, on The Julliard School’s education, traditions and history.

Today’s artists should know their social responsibilities, said Polisi. “An artist must have concentration but also extensive knowledge about politics, economy and cultures in order to exert some influence on this world,” he said.

As the president of The Juilliard School since 1984, Polisi added humanities and liberal arts courses to the curriculum and encouraged students to take part in community work and contribute to the society in their own ways.

Some students and graduates from The Juilliard School performed at the talk show, including three SHCM professors.