Profiles in Philanthropy: Celia Paul and Stephen Rosen

Celia Paul and Stephen Rosen

Celia Paul and Stephen Rosen epitomize all that it means to be arts lovers. Longtime Juilliard supporters, they take advantage of all the School has to offer, attending performances in every division, registering for evening division classes, and participating in various membership groups.

"We think Juilliard is the Rolls-Royce of music schools," says Mr. Rosen when asked what draws them to Juilliard. "What is so great about the School," adds Ms. Paul, "is that you can do everything there. Whenever we go we always try to bring friends along to introduce them to the wonders of Juilliard."

Both consider themselves fortunate to have musical interests that developed early in childhood when Celia studied the cello and Stephen the piano. Later on their marriage even helped to broaden their musical tastes.

"When we married, Celia's record collection concentrated on chamber music and I was heavily into symphonic music, jazz, and piano," says Mr. Rosen "Now she has come to love jazz and I like to listen to chamber music. We think of the seamless merger of our music collections as a metaphor for our marriage."

Enthusiastic and appreciative audience members, Ms. Paul and Mr. Rosen have befriended several Juilliard students over the years, even inviting some to perform at their home. They remember fondly one student who performed her master's recital at a musical evening they hosted.

It was their firm belief in helping the next generation of performing artists that inspired them to take their support one step further and to include The Juilliard School in their estate planning. After hearing master classes at Juilliard by the jazz pianist Hank Jones and the singer Barbara Cook, they were so inspired by the experience that they decided to make a provision in their financial plans to support a fund for future master classes at the School.

"We believe passionately in music and in the future of Juilliard. We have an abiding love for this place," says Ms. Paul. "All of the people we have encountered have been very kind, generous, and open." They also enjoy the social community they have found through Juilliard's Ovation Society, a membership group that provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the School and its programs.

In addition to being spouses, Celia Paul and Stephen Rosen also work together. Ms. Paul is a career consultant who specializes in the legal field. Her husband, a physicist by training, has held positions in education, research, investment banking, and management consulting. They are now colleagues in a business called Career Change Ability, where they advise people in the legal and scientific professions seeking a career change.

In addition to Juilliard, they are involved with the Perlman Music Program, the Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Family ties to music also run deep as Mr. Rosen is the uncle of Béla Fleck, one of the world's premier banjo players. In their spare time they enjoy visiting grandchildren who live in Ireland and bringing friends to concerts at Juilliard. The School couldn't ask for better ambassadors.

The support of individuals like Celia Paul and Stephen Rosen, who have made provisions to help future generations of young artists, makes a tremendous difference at Juilliard. We salute them and extend warmest gratitude for what they have done and continue to do for The Juilliard School.

For more information about how you can help Juilliard with a planned gift, please contact Lori Padua at (212) 799-5000, ext. 7152 or lpadua@juilliard.edu.