Breaking Free from Expectations: Embracing Authenticity.
Musician and composer Jon Batiste reflects on his journey from a struggling student at Juilliard School to an elected trustee. He emphasizes the importance of disrupting the status quo and facilitating change from the inside out. Batiste's philosophy clashed with the institution's emphasis on mastery, and he was given an ultimatum to take a year off or get kicked out. He chose the former and traveled the world, learning from other musicians. He returned to Juilliard with renewed self-confidence and perspective, and now champions artists who want to broaden the cultural landscape with their creative superpowers.