Drake Driscoll | Life After Juilliard

Postcards From Juilliard Alums

Over the past few years, I have established myself as an advocate for social change through music, committing myself to the arts through community and administrative work in addition to performing and teaching. My passion for this work began in 2018, when I co-founded—with Timothy Chooi (MM ’19, Artist Diploma ’22, violin) and Sarah Sung (BM ’20, MM ’22, viola)—the VISION Collective, an ensemble dedicated to building meaningful relationships with and among refugees and new Americans by sharing and exchanging music between diverse communities. In my four years as executive director, we have organized workshops at local immigrant organizations, virtual benefit concerts in support of COVID relief efforts, benefit concerts in support of Ukrainian refugees, and a tour to German refugee camps.

Graduating in 2020 drastically shifted my plans to freelance in New York City. I received a certificate focused on social entrepreneurship through the Global Leaders Program and fostered a passion for teaching and developing strategies to effectively engage K–12 students (through my laptop!). I taught 20 to 30 online cello lessons per week. And, in 2021, I created and taught an arts and community engagement seminar at Walnut Hill School for the Arts.

In October 2021, I became the full-time coordinator for the learning and engagement programs at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, and in 2023, I became the education and community engagement manager at Young Concert Artists. I also teach and mentor for Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s education initiatives, freelance perform, and plan next steps for the VISION Collective. I see a future where classical music is accessible and there is greater diversity and equity within the music profession and beyond. I will continue to advocate for this future in my work as a performer and an administrator, and I feel lucky to have opportunities to train and inspire other artists to do the same.

Drake Driscoll (MM '20, cello)

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