China's first lady Peng Liyuan teaches students Chinese folk song techniques at The Juilliard School in New York City on Sept 28.[Photo by Ma Zhancheng/Xinhua]

"[Tianjin] gives us a great deal of freedom to create what've been called an authentic Juilliard experience," said Polisi.

It will be the first US music school offering a US-accredited master's degree in China. The branch will offer a master of music degree in orchestral performance, chamber music performance and collaborative piano — a decision based on research Juilliard has done on the desires of music students in China.

There will also be pre-college, instrumental training and adult education programs. The school also plans a space called Juilliard Imagination, a display area where visitors can go and experience the art of music, dance and drama digitally. Like the Juilliard School in New York, the Tianjin Juilliard School will constantly hold public performances and exhibits.

To achieve the "authentic Juilliard experience", current faculty in New York will be going to Tianjin on a rotating basis for workshops, special projects, presentations and recitals.