Julia is our soloist in the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto on Sunday 23 June:
Julia is studying violin at the Qld Conservatorium under the guidance of former Arditti String Quartet member Graeme Jennings. She is Principal second violin of the Queensland Youth Symphony and plays in a Klezmer ensemble, with chamber music ensembles and as a pop-music soloist with a loop-pedal set-up.
Julia has been selected to participate in ‘Asia Future Fellows’ in 2019 – a partnership between Griffith University and Peking University in China. Twelve students from Brisbane and 10 students from Peking will spend a week in each other’s countries, attending seminars, participating in cultural activities and fundraising for a Chinese orphanage. In between the visits to each other’s countries, they will collaboratively write an academic paper on a topic related to the Australia-China relationship. Julia has also applied for a New Colombo Plan Scholarship; if successful she will travel to Japan next year to pursue her interest in Australia’s connection to Asia and the different perspectives this brings to music and performance.
So what brings Julia to studying at the Con, and playing with ICO?
When and why did you start playing violin?
I started playing when I was 7 years old as part of my primary school’s instrumental music program. I was inspired to take up violin after seeing the senior strings play on our assembly one week.
What is your earliest musical memory?
My mum has been bellydancing for years and I used to join her as a youngster – I would say that’s my first association with music.
What is your most memorable/exciting musical experience so far?
Playing solo at Creative Generation State Schools on Stage during high school. My performances there introduced to me the possibilities of pop/rock music on violin and all in all, was a life-changing experience.
What do you love about the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto?
I love how it takes the listener – and the players! – through so many emotions. You can really go on your own journey while playing it.
Come and hear Julia’s rendition of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto on 23 June – buy tickets here.
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