Joel Luks ’99E
Who is someone that inspired you during your time on campus?
All the members of the flute studio! There was immense talent and strength found in everyone, each offering something valuable to learn from.
What's your most memorable Rochester hangout?
Java's Cafe, because there's no such thing as enough caffeine when you have early morning theory and ear training classes.
What’s your favorite place on campus?
Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music—a place where countless incredible artists have graced the stage. If only those walls could talk!
If you could relive one day on campus, what would it be?
At the final Eastman Philharmonia concert of my senior year at the Eastman School of Music, I sat alongside my flute colleagues performing Mahler Symphony No. 5. As we played through the last jubilant notes, there wasn't a dry eye in our section. For me, it was a moment to reflect on how much we had grown and how close we had become. The question became: Where would we go from here?
What are you most proud of about your University of Rochester education?
The experience didn't end upon graduation and departure from campus. The legacy of those who came before me was ever present, and those connections continue with the next generation of students. I felt proud of being accepted, but even prouder of the personal growth spurred by challenges from faculty, staff, and my peers.
How do you live the Meliora values everyday?
Living "ever better" means embarking in an ongoing journey of self-improvement. The University provided me with a solid foundation that allowed me to reinvent myself numerous times throughout my career, empowering me with the courage to forge my own path, even when it diverged from the conventional. It's never too late to learn, evolve, and redefine both who I am personally and professionally. I learned to embrace change, growth, and the opportunity to continually become a better version of myself—each and everyday.