A Multidimensional Musical Education

Collage of Orlando Bandini Viliani featuring a violin and a moped

Meet Orlando Bandini Viliani, MM in Instrumental Performance Student…

Originally from Florence, Italy, Orlando Bandini Viliani (MM in Instrumental Performance) came to NYU Steinhardt because of a deep commitment to his craft and a desire to expand his artistic horizons.

Bandini Viliani earned an undergraduate degree in philosophy from Università degli Studi di Firenze before obtaining a second bachelor’s degree in music from Scuola di Musica di Fiesole. When it came time to pursue a graduate degree, Bandini Viliani knew he wanted to come to the United States.

“I wanted to better understand and experience the singularities of classical musicianship in the U.S.,” says Bandini Viliani. “I was interested in seeing how so many American orchestras and producing institutions thrive despite limited public funding of the performing arts, as well as interact with different music genres and expand beyond the classical music borders.”

Finding Community and Mentorship at Steinhardt

Bandini Viliani’s curiosity about the program quickly turned into a meaningful academic and personal journey, supported by strong mentorship from Stephanie Baer, director of string studies at NYU Steinhardt, and others, as well as a collaborative environment.

“Within the Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions, it feels like everyone is there to find and pursue their personal musical vocation and path,” says Bandini Viliani. “As a graduate faculty adjunct, I also teach students with disparate academic careers and cultural backgrounds far from mine, yet we always find something in common beyond our passion for music.”

Immersive Learning in a State-of-the-Art Environment

Bandini Viliani’s experience is defined by its immersive nature. Much of his daily work takes place in the state-of-the-art Paulson Center, a modern facility designed specifically for artistic collaboration and practice. With an entire floor dedicated to soundproof practice rooms, the space reflects an institutional commitment to the arts that he finds both rare and inspiring.

“These beautiful facilities give me the sense that the profession I’m pursuing is valued here,” says Bandini Viliani.

Performance Opportunities and Artistic Growth

Orlando Bandini Viliani playing as part of a string quartet — Orlando Bandini Viliani performing with fellow Steinhardt students in a string quartet

Beyond practice time, Orlando has taken full advantage of performance opportunities at Steinhardt. He performs in orchestral concerts multiple times per semester and appears regularly in chamber music concerts held at the NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts.

Equally important are the interdisciplinary opportunities available at NYU. Bandini Viliani has explored coursework outside his primary focus, including classes in performing arts administration and music business. In “Principles and Practices of Performing Arts Administration” taught by Timothy McClimon, an adjunct faculty and Broadway theater executive, Bandini Viliani gained insight into nonprofit leadership, financials, and the inner workings of major arts organizations.

“These courses opened my eyes to possibilities beyond performance,” says Bandini Viliani. “They gave me an insight into how I can (and now would like to) contribute to the arts in multiple ways.”

Connecting Cultures

Bandini Viliani’s experience has been further enriched by his role at NYU’s Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò, which offers free events to promote all aspects of Italian culture, including language, literature, cinema, music, theater, visual arts, and more. As part of his work there, he curated a joint project called Contrappunto Frizzante that brought fellow students and faculty from the renowned Italian conservatory Scuola di Musica di Fiesole to NYU for a masterclass and performances.

Preparing for the Next Chapter

With support from Steinhardt faculty and resources like the NYU Writing Center, Bandini Viliani further developed and translated some of his undergraduate research to reflect his interdisciplinary passions and build his post-grad applications. Now, he is set to continue his studies in the fall at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, to further develop his artistry and research his academic interest in the sociology of chamber music.

Ultimately, Bandini Viliani describes his time at NYU Steinhardt as transformative not only in artistic terms, but more broadly on a personal level. “I came here expecting to grow as a musician,” he says. “What I didn’t expect was how much I would grow as a person.”