Following an extensive search, Juilliard has named composer and alumnus David Serkin Ludwig as dean and director of Juilliard’s Music Division. Ludwig, an alumnus of Juilliard (Graduate Diploma ’02, composition), comes from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he currently serves as the Gie and Lisa Liem Artistic Advisor to the President, chair of composition studies, director of Ensemble 20/21, and the artistic director of Curtis Summerfest. Ludwig will begin his transition to Juilliard on June 1, 2021.
As dean and director, Ludwig will oversee the artistic and educational activities of the Music Division. He will work closely with students, faculty, and administrators to lead the largest department and founding division of the school with a vision reflecting Juilliard’s values of excellence, creativity, and inclusiveness.
“Working with students is an incredibly rewarding and vital part of my life,” Ludwig said. “As an artist and educator, I am thrilled to be returning to Juilliard to work with students, faculty, and staff to help build school community and engage audiences in New York and around the world.”
David Serkin Ludwig’s first musical memory was singing Beatles songs with his sister. His second was hearing his grandfather perform at Carnegie Hall. These experiences foretold a diverse career that Ludwig has spent collaborating with many of today’s leading soloists, ensembles, filmmakers, choreographers, and writers. His work The New Colossus opened the private prayer service for President Obama’s second inauguration. The same year, NPR named him one of the world’s “Top 100 Composers Under 40.” In 2016, he won the A.I. du Pont Award for his “significant contribution to contemporary classical music” and in 2018 he received the prestigious Pew Fellowship from the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage.
Ludwig’s works have been commissioned and performed by such prominent ensembles and artists as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall; as well as by Jonathan Biss, alumnus Jeremy Denk, Jaime Laredo, Jennifer Koh, David Shifrin, Eighth Blackbird, the Dover and Borromeo quartets, and the PRISM Saxophone Quartet. His music is currently featured on over a dozen commercial recordings, including a complete album of his choral music recorded by the Choral Arts Society. An accomplished film composer, Ludwig scored Michael Almereyda’s 2014 feature film Cymbeline starring Ethan Hawke and Dakota Johnson.
Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Ludwig attended high school in New York City. He comes from several generations of eminent musicians including his uncle pianist Peter Serkin (Juilliard faculty 1987–2003), grandfather pianist Rudolf Serkin, and great-grandfather violinist and composer Adolf Busch.
As dean and director, Ludwig will oversee the artistic and educational activities of the Music Division. He will work closely with students, faculty, and administrators to lead the largest department and founding division of the school with a vision reflecting Juilliard’s values of excellence, creativity, and inclusiveness.
“Working with students is an incredibly rewarding and vital part of my life,” Ludwig said. “As an artist and educator, I am thrilled to be returning to Juilliard to work with students, faculty, and staff to help build school community and engage audiences in New York and around the world.”
David Serkin Ludwig’s first musical memory was singing Beatles songs with his sister. His second was hearing his grandfather perform at Carnegie Hall. These experiences foretold a diverse career that Ludwig has spent collaborating with many of today’s leading soloists, ensembles, filmmakers, choreographers, and writers. His work The New Colossus opened the private prayer service for President Obama’s second inauguration. The same year, NPR named him one of the world’s “Top 100 Composers Under 40.” In 2016, he won the A.I. du Pont Award for his “significant contribution to contemporary classical music” and in 2018 he received the prestigious Pew Fellowship from the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage.
Ludwig’s works have been commissioned and performed by such prominent ensembles and artists as the Philadelphia Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, National Symphony, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall; as well as by Jonathan Biss, alumnus Jeremy Denk, Jaime Laredo, Jennifer Koh, David Shifrin, Eighth Blackbird, the Dover and Borromeo quartets, and the PRISM Saxophone Quartet. His music is currently featured on over a dozen commercial recordings, including a complete album of his choral music recorded by the Choral Arts Society. An accomplished film composer, Ludwig scored Michael Almereyda’s 2014 feature film Cymbeline starring Ethan Hawke and Dakota Johnson.
Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Ludwig attended high school in New York City. He comes from several generations of eminent musicians including his uncle pianist Peter Serkin (Juilliard faculty 1987–2003), grandfather pianist Rudolf Serkin, and great-grandfather violinist and composer Adolf Busch.
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