MorningStar Senior Living Partners with Juilliard Extension to Bring World-class Arts Education to Residents

Apr 15, 2026 | Featured, Independent Living

MorningStar Senior Living, a leading owner and operator of senior living communities, announces a partnership with Juilliard Extension, The Juilliard School’s flagship program for continuing arts education and lifelong learning, to bring fine arts education to MorningStar residents across the country.

In February 2026 Juilliard Extension began delivering live, interactive arts education lectures through its Lifelong Learning Program to MorningStar communities in Mission Viejo and Pasadena, CA; Boulder, Fort Collins and Centennial, CO; Kirkland, WA; and Hillsboro, OR. Broadcast live from Juilliard’s campus at Lincoln Center in New York City, the classes stream simultaneously across the participating communities, allowing residents to engage in real time with Juilliard Extension’s distinguished faculty and its gifted students.

“This partnership reflects our deep commitment to the intellectual, emotional, and social enrichment of our residents,” said Javi Arceneaux, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at MorningStar. “Bringing Juilliard into our communities gives residents access to a world-class cultural experience, one that sparks curiosity, builds connections and enhances well-being.”

These bi-monthly classes are curated for a senior audience and while centered in music also draw in the other arts for which Juilliard is famed: drama and dance. Open to all MorningStar residents, they include demonstrations, lectures, performances, and curriculum that extends the educational value beyond the formal hour of class instruction.

Juilliard classes coincide with MorningStar University: Age Brilliantly, the company’s own innovative model of lifelong learning, inspiring its residents to stay curious and engaged in the world around them. At MSU ceremonies held in the spring, residents can graduate not only from MSU in recognition of their wider participation in semester classes but now also with a certificate of completion from Juilliard Extension.

Says John-Morgan Bush, Dean of Juilliard Extension, “The transformative power of the arts is not bound by age; it is a universal language that resonates with the human spirit at every stage of life. Juilliard’s Lifelong Learning program is rooted in this philosophy and sees every class as an opportunity to light up neural pathways of learning and joy.”

Juilliard Lifelong Learning is rooted in the growing Creative Aging and Social Prescription movements, which recognize the profound impact of arts engagement on cognitive function, emotional health, and quality of life for older adults. Several MorningStar communities will also participate in specialized Memory Care programming as part of the partnership. MorningStar will incorporate Juilliard classes into its resident wellness surveys, contributing to ongoing research on the health benefits of arts education for older adults.

Net proceeds from the Juilliard Lifelong Learning program support student scholarships at The Juilliard School where more than 95 percent of college students receive financial aid.

About MorningStar Senior Living

An integrated developer, owner and operator of premier retirement communities, MorningStar’s portfolio encompasses 40 properties under operation or development representing 5,000+ unitsunder management or in development in 11 states in the Midwest and Western United States. Offering independent living, assisted living and memory care, MorningStar is privileged to elevate life for those who taught the rest of us how to live. Visit morningstarseniorliving.com.

About The Juilliard School

Founded in 1905, The Juilliard School is a world leader in performing arts education. The school’s mission is to is to cultivate excellence through the highest caliber of education in music, dance, and drama for gifted students from around the world, so they may achieve their fullest potential, expanding the reach and elevating the impact of the arts. Juilliard is led by Damian Woetzel, seventh president of the school, who has prioritized affordability and access to the highest level of artistic education while championing Juilliard’s tradition of excellence. Located at Lincoln Center in New York City, Juilliard offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in dance, drama (acting and playwriting), and music (classical, jazz, historical performance, and vocal arts). More than 800 artists from 42 states and 50 countries and regions are enrolled in Juilliard’s College Division, where they appear in more than 800 annual performances in the school’s five theaters; at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully and David Geffen halls and at Carnegie Hall; as well as at other venues around New York City, the U.S., and the world. The continuum of learning at Juilliard also includes nearly 400 students from elementary through high school enrolled in the Preparatory Division—Pre-College and Music Advancement Program (MAP); MAP serves students from diverse backgrounds often underrepresented in the classical music field. More than 1,200 students are enrolled in Juilliard Extension, the flagship continuing education program taught both in person and remotely by a dedicated faculty of performers, creators, and scholars. Beyond its New York campus, Juilliard is defining new directions in performing arts education for a range of learners and enthusiasts through a global K–12 educational curricula and preparatory and graduate studies at The Tianjin Juilliard School in China. Visit Juilliard.edu.

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Anonymous
I toured MorningStar of Kirkland. The location is right there in Totem Lake, and it's ...
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Anonymous
I toured MorningStar of Kirkland. The location is right there in Totem Lake, and it's just like, wow. I didn't even know it was there. They have a saltwater pool. Upon entering is a nice little bistro. They invited me to one of their functions. Everybody was super nice at the exercise facility. I went by myself, and then I told my sister about it. We both just went to check it out. My sister says I know why you like this place. It was just a nice feeling. I felt at home.
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Alyssa Allen
Love the facility, rooms are very nice and updated. Close to a lot of things
Alyssa Allen
Love the facility, rooms are very nice and updated. Close to a lot of things
Alyssa Allen
Alyssa Allen
Yen Dang
I have a friend whose grandma is living here that I got to visit when ...
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Yen Dang
I have a friend whose grandma is living here that I got to visit when I was in town. The facility is clean, modern and very well run. We got to dine in at the cafe and food was actually impressive. Smiles throughout from every employee during our visit. I know it's not the cheapest but they absolutely are worth the price.
Yen Dang
Yen Dang
Bing Chow
Living in here is just like in a big family. Everyone in here is very ...
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Bing Chow
Living in here is just like in a big family. Everyone in here is very friendly. We play games together with fun and laughter. We also concern and help each others. There are lots of pleasant and healthy activities like Group Exercise, Tai Chi , Yoga, Line Dancing, Jazzercise, Tone & Tighten, Cards Creation, Floral Arranging, Painting, Ceramics, Bingo, Water Aerobics, etc. Also we may do workouts in the gym or go swimming in the pool freely. Besides we will have Music Appreciation every week in our restaurant sipping on our wine while enjoying the music. I like living in here as it is like traveling on a cruise. We eat three meals a day for free and no need to worry about washing dishes. Our chef listens to our needs. The meals are good although a little salty sometimes. It is almost like in a hotel as once every week our cleaning team would come to clean the room and make beds. On the whole all staffs are very friendly and helpful. Morning Star in Kirkland is truly a super choice for independent retired living
Bing Chow
Bing Chow
Virginia Anderson
We have been here 8 months and are still grateful that we found this place. A ...
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Virginia Anderson
We have been here 8 months and are still grateful that we found this place. A faith based community means that everyone is supported in honoring their faith in their higher power. We have Christians, Jews, Muslims. The staff are super friendly which means they are grateful to be working in a place where most residents feel like a large family group. The new leader, Karen, is super friendly and the staff seem very happy to have her as their leader. Multiple events: movie nights, outside musical entertainment on Tuesdays happy hour are so much fun. People don't have to drive, there is always transportation when needed. The price is expensive but includes everything! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, housecleaning, internet, and staff that are all super friendly. In house Physical Therapy, exercise equipment, heated indoor salt water pool, in house hair and nail salon. Location is another plus: so close to doctors, hospital, shopping, and 5 minutes from Juanita Beach a great place to take a daily walk. Come give it a try!
Virginia Anderson
Virginia Anderson
Paris Aguinaga
I very much enjoy coming to visit my grandma. The flowers are always so beautiful ...
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Paris Aguinaga
I very much enjoy coming to visit my grandma. The flowers are always so beautiful and everyone always seems to be happy and having a good time. The food is delicious and the bistro is the gem of the dining experience. Arthur is the friendliest person and takes his craft seriously. I order something different every time to see what fun garnish he comes up with. My grandma is always telling me funny stories about the bistro and I feel happy knowing she has a companion every time she comes to get her glass of Chardonnay.
Paris Aguinaga
Paris Aguinaga
Marin Bundy
The food at the restaurant is really good. Came to visit to see places for ...
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Marin Bundy
The food at the restaurant is really good. Came to visit to see places for my mom, definitely a top contender. The facility is very nice and clean.
Marin Bundy
Marin Bundy
Janelle Erickson
Morningstar of Kirkland is a wonderful, independent community for seniors. My parents lived here for ...
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Janelle Erickson
Morningstar of Kirkland is a wonderful, independent community for seniors. My parents lived here for the past year and needed to move because they need more care. They loved Kirkland so much they moved into another Morningstar community that has assisted living and memory care. Kirkland is very well managed and the staff is friendly, kind and knowledgeable. The building is fairly new, attractive and well maintained. The residents have also created a real community atmosphere. Highly recommend without any reservation.
Janelle Erickson
Janelle Erickson

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