NYC Gazette

On February 10, Ruth Reinhardt, an alumna of Juilliard and music director designate of the Rhode Island Philharmonic, will make her debut conducting the Juilliard Orchestra. Conducting student Valentina Paolucci interviewed Reinhardt about her experiences at Juilliard, advice for entering the professional world, and perspectives on classical music's future.

Reflecting on her time at Juilliard, Reinhardt described it as "amazing," particularly due to her conducting class. She credited Alan Gilbert as a demanding yet supportive teacher who played a significant role in her growth. The camaraderie among classmates was also a highlight: "A lot of my good friends now are people I met at Juilliard."

When asked for advice on managing multiple musical works, Reinhardt emphasized prioritizing essential pieces. She suggested focusing on critical elements when learning several scores simultaneously and returning to deeper studies later.

Discussing the transition to professional life, Reinhardt acknowledged its challenges: "We shouldn’t fool ourselves—for almost anybody, that transition is scary." Despite uncertainties during this period, she encouraged focusing on eventual positive outcomes.

Reinhardt recounted how she stumbled into conducting through various musical pursuits. Her curiosity about orchestral compositions led her to volunteer when given the opportunity by her youth orchestra conductor.

Looking ahead, Reinhardt expressed hope for broader access to quality music education. As she prepares to lead the Juilliard Orchestra again, she anticipates performing works like Brahms Symphony No. 1 and compositions by Martinů and Unsuk Chin.

Valentina Paolucci is currently a second-year master's student in conducting at Juilliard.