It's the start of the school year for the 800 students of the Juilliard School in New York, one of the most prestigious conservatories in the world and one of the most selective (only 8% of students who try for a place get one).The school boasts an impressive list of now famous artists who have studied in its drama, dance and music divisions - from Yo You Ma to Kevin Spacey, from Philip Glass to Pina Bausch.Among the students starting this new school year are Mariella, a young 17-year old violinist, Mathis, also 17, a pianist and the youngest student in the jazz department, and Raymond, who is 21 and is training to become a professional dancer. Austin, Lars and Ryan are entering their third year in the drama division.

It will soon be Christmas for the Juilliard students, a crucial period for the students that is synonymous with end-of-term performances.Raymond's 4th year dance class is busy rehearsing a piece with Czech choreographer Jarek Cemerek that was created specifically for them. Marielle will be playing Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique with the Juilliard orchestra conducted by her teacher, famous violinist Itzhak Perlman.Lars and Austin, both actors, will be performing at a centre for young drug addicts. John, a baritone, and his girlfriend Wallis, a mezzo-soprano, will be singing in front of the other students of the Juillard's Vocal Arts division, one of the most reputed in the world.

Being confronted with a different discipline to one's own, in order to better nurture one's own art, is an integral part of the curriculum at Juilliard, irrespective of whether one is a dancer, musician or actor.In this episode, Mariella, a violinist, takes tap-dancing lessons and philosophy lessons. Raymond, a dancer, is taking drama lessons.Ryan, Lars and their drama classmates are working on singing and a musical comedy, a key discipline of actor training in the US. This episode follows them rehearsing and performing their cabaret show.