Also honored along with this year's 265 Juilliard graduates were legendary singer Tony Bennett, opera director Frank Corsaro, philanthropist Glorya Kaufman and foremost Mahler scholar Henry-Louis de La Grange.
The seven guests met in Juilliard President Joseph W. Polisi's office prior to the ceremony, where they donned the ceremonial robes and greeted the press. The honorees led the procession of graduates into the Hall, and newly-dubbed honorary Doctor of Fine Arts Tony Kushner delivered the commencement speech.
Here is a look behind the scenes and onstage at the morning event:
Patti LuPone
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Tony Kushner
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Mikhail Baryshnikov and Tony Bennett
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Back: Juilliard President Joseph Polisi, Tony Bennett, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Henry-Louis de La Grange, Tony Kushner, Juilliard Board Chair Bruce Kovner
Front: Patti LuPone, Glorya Kaufman and Frank Corsaro
Front: Patti LuPone, Glorya Kaufman and Frank Corsaro
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The honorees and graduates line up to enter the Hall
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The honorees, Juilliard faculty, administration and orchestra
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Former Lincoln Center Chairman Martin Segal
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Patti LuPone, Frank Calarco, Tony Bennett and Henry-Louis de La Grange
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Patti LuPone receives her honorary Doctor of Fine Arts
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Tony Bennett receives his honorary Doctor of Music
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Mikhail Baryshnikov receives his honorary Doctor of Fine Arts
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Tony Kushner receives his honorary Doctor of Fine Arts
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Tony Kushner delivers the commencement speech
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Graduates and honorees applaud Kushner's commencement address
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Tony Bennett joins the Juilliard Jazz trio in a song
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