He was writing most of these pieces to play himself or have his students play. I don't think there was nearly the same sense of passing music on for posterity.

Recently, one of my own performance majors, who previously had volunteered to me that she didn't like to teach, announced that she wanted to get a D.M.A. in pedagogy. Surprised, I asked what had caused her change of heart. She said, 'Jess is such a great professor!' When students contemplate changing their professional life because of even brief contact with one person, we should take note!

I think it's wonderful that students can get scholarships to play athletics at universities. But the fact that you can't do that in the Ivy League just makes it extra special. It's really in the vein of the true student-athlete.

We try not to make the burden on our students, but I think they play a role.

We've accelerated the time structure. The students are responding very well to the new system, and they like writing.

He's always really thorough with them and really interested in talking about writing and helping students become more efficient and more learned writers, so I really see a dedication to students.