Judith Lynn Stillman, distinguished pianist and composer, is the music director for The Gamm’s current run of “Amadeus.” She created the show›s arrangements excerpted from the works of composers from the 18^th and early 19^th century classical music canon including Mozart, Salieri, Gluck, Haydn, Handel, J.S. Bach, Bonno, Rossini, and Beethoven. 

Thanks, Judy, for joining us here on Ocean State Stories. You have had such a distinguished career in so many artistic fields and we will explore many of them here. Let’s start with your background. We see on your website that you hold bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Juilliard. Tell us about your education and accomplishments at Juilliard. 

Thank you for reaching out, Wayne. It’s an honor to be in the company of such esteemed community members. 

In terms of my background, I began playing piano by ear at age three, gave my first public performances at five, entered Juilliard Pre-College while in elementary school, and I was trained as a pianist from childhood through my bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at Juilliard. I’ve been on the international music scene since I was a teen.

The selective conservatory environment at Juilliard is, as you can imagine, extraordinarily competitive, but it is also remarkably inspiring to be among talented colleagues and renowned mentors.   

During my education there, I was proud to have been apparently the youngest person ever admitted to their doctoral program, and I was honored to have received talent scholarships throughout the years and to win the prestigious Juilliard Concerto Competition.  

  These were formative years in which I was blessed to experience the highest level training with some of the world’s most exceptional musicians. I made lasting friendships with musicians whose careers are off the charts and with whom I continue to collaborate. 

When did you first become interested in music and did you have mentors and influences in your childhood? 

I discovered my passion for music when I was very young. I had a nurturing home environment with music-loving parents. While I couldn’t identify it at the time, I believe that I was drawn to music because of its profound effect on emotions and feelings. 

I was fortunate to garner inspiration from the finest musical mentors – pianists, violinists, conductors – working with and alongside Rudolf Serkin at Marlboro, being in Leonard Bernstein’s orbit at Tanglewood, studying piano with the musical guru Leon Fleisher.   

I’ve forged lifelong musical partnerships with icons such as Wynton Marsalis; I appeared with Herbie Hancock on a Bose commercial; performed at The Grammy’s celebration in honor of Rostropovich; performed with diverse musicians from members of the New York Philharmonic to the Beach Boys; was named Honored Artist of the American Prize as pianist and composer; served as a visiting artist in Russia, China, Scotland, France, Israel, and in the U.K. 

Upon completing studies at Juilliard, I began my position as Rhode Island College’s Artist-in-Residence. As Artist-in-Residence, I serve as an artistic ambassador and do everything in my power to enhance the cultural fabric of the college, the community, the state and beyond.

In order to bring music to wider audiences and to best deliver messages on a broader scale, my career expanded and has evolved to include not only my work as a pianist but also as a composer, choral conductor, music director, educator, and filmmaker. 

OK, now back to the professional Judy Stillman. Give us a snapshot of your piano playing. What are some of the places where you have performed?  

It’s difficult to select favorites from among the many and diverse venues. The ones that stand out the most have a parallel story connected to them. Premiering a work in Beijing, China, at the Central Conservatory of Music was a musical highlight. Performances at Lincoln Center were so gratifying, with full houses and standing ovations.  

Please give us a snapshot of your composing.  

As the great cellist Pablo Casals said: “Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart.” My goal in composing is to express what’s in my heart and to touch the hearts of listeners. Many of my composing projects are designed to give a voice to the voiceless. To that end, I most often create works that are both instrumental and vocal, typically as both composer and lyricist, as text can convey messages powerfully in tandem with the music. 

In my projects, I often combine an educational focus/scholarship with creative artistry. I have a burning drive to bring projects to fruition often to underscore world issues and topics of global significance, to enlighten audiences. To that end, I compose multimedia works, original music and narration or lyrics, attempting to synthesize my interests as pianist, composer/arranger, writer, director, art enthusiast, and educator, and I produce these events for live audiences, and for television and video – with the goal of bringing a visceral understanding of, for example, the Holocaust, the Armenian genocide, climate change, women’s rights, civil rights, the dire need for diversity, equity and inclusion, the complex lives of artists in history, and more.   

Turning to Rhode Island, from your website we see that you are Artistic Director for Judith Lynn Stillman & Friends from the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra at the Carter Center, and the Artistic Director for Masterworks Concerts at the Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts. What are those centers and what are your roles?  

As the Artistic Director of both series, I serve as the person responsible for programming, organizing, contracting, as well as curating, designing, oftentimes composing and scriptwriting, and serving as pianist. The Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts is on the Rhode Island College campus and the Carter Center is the home of the Rhode Island Philharmonic’s Music School. 

What advice do you have for people of any age who have an interest in artistic creativity, but may be afraid to take the first steps? 

Follow your heart. I have a guiding principle which I share in my master classes and workshops: ‘The Three P’s: Passion, Practice and Perseverance.” It’s natural to experience fear and anxiety, but these elements can help us overcome the difficulties inherent in pursuing a path which is immensely challenging but can be remarkably rewarding. Please also feel free to contact me at www.judithlynnstillman.com I would be happy to provide guidance.  

Editor’s Note: This story first appeared August 26, 2024 on the Ocean State Stories website. This piece has been edited for clarity and length.