Special Topics

During the 2026–2027 academic year, Juilliard Extension is excited to shape portions of our curriculum around two major anniversaries of historical and artistic significance: America’s 250th anniversary of Independence and the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death. These milestones offer a meaningful opportunity to reflect on legacy, influence, and the ways in which artistic traditions continue to evolve across time. A number of this year’s course offerings were selected with these themes in mind, inviting students to engage more deeply with works, histories, and ideas that continue to resonate in the present.

America at 250
Several offerings this year are curated in conversation with the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary of Independence, highlighting uniquely American art forms and a wide range of voices that have shaped the country’s cultural life. At the same time, these courses recognize that America’s artistic story reaches far beyond 1776, drawing on rich traditions and histories that long predate Independence and continue to inform the music, theater, and dance we appreciate today.

Beethoven at 200
March 2027 marks the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s death, offering a chance to revisit one of the most transformative figures in Western classical music. Our Beethoven-focused courses explore the breadth of his legacy, from iconic large-scale works to lesser-known corners of his output, while considering the extraordinary impact his music has had on performers, composers, and audiences across generations. Together, these offerings celebrate Beethoven not simply as a historical figure, but as a living artistic presence whose work continues to inspire, challenge, and reward close listening.

Courses

America at 250

Beethoven at 200