More About Julia
Hello, and thank you for visiting my site! On this
page, I thought I’d share a little more about myself, so you might be able to
get to know me a little better.
I was born in San Francisco, and lived most of my early life twenty miles
south of San Francisco in a small town called Belmont. In the 1800’s Belmont
was a weekend and summer refuge for the wealthy, elite city dwellers. At that
time, quite rustic and without artifice or pretension. Belmont still retains
this refuge-like feel. In this small town called Belmont is a wide, main avenue,
and lining this main avenue, stands of live oaks and tall groves of towering
eucalyptus trees, the seedlings of which were carried to California by
Australian immigrants at the end of the 19th century. And covering the ground
beneath the trees, hundreds if not thousands of eucalyptus pods. So that on any
given day, walking down the avenue, or riding in one’s car with the windows
open, one is bathed in the fresh air scent of eucalyptus. I remember this from
my childhood. I believe we carry our most important places with us always. So
now, living in New York City, I still think of, and remember, the smell of
eucalyptus, and the scent of the salt air of the ocean, only 15 miles west of my
home.
I began musical studies at the age of eight, with fantasies of becoming a
concert pianist. By the age of eighteen, I finally had to concede that the
concert stage (at least as a keyboard artist), was not my destiny. However,
throughout my High school and college years, I accompanied many singers and
instrumentalists in concerts and the occasional audition. I still play for my
own enjoyment, and now as a professional singer, it is impossible to overstate
how greatly this ability helps me in my vocal and role studies.
I ventured south for my Undergraduate education, earning a Bachelor of Arts
Degree, with Honors in Vocal Performance from the University of California at San
Diego. While at San Diego I had the opportunity to study 20th Century Theory
with many esteemed composers, including Bernard Rands, Robert Erickson and Will
Ogden. From there, I headed East to the New England Conservatory of Music in
Boston, where I received my Masters Degree in Vocal Performance, and where I had
the great and good fortune to study Opera Performance with John Moriarty.
Glacier National Park
What cannot be included on my biography and résumé pages, is my unapologetic
adoration of the wilderness. I grew up in a family that regularly fished, hiked
and camped, and so, as an adult, I still have the lure of the great open spaces
in my blood. I have a long family history with my favorite place on earth:
Glacier National Park.
The Many
Glacier Valley
I have visited Glacier nearly every summer since my early 20’s, hiking and back
packing. I probably enjoy talking about Glacier as much as any music I can think
of. If you are planning a trip, send me a note with questions!
(On duty in Glacier – July 2002!)
Having worked there for two summers as a National Park Ranger, I can answer
nearly any inquiry you might have, with a certain level of expertise! And yes,
I can say with confidence, that I am the only professional opera singer I know,
who also worked as a National Park Ranger. To answer some oft-asked questions:
1) yes, I have come face to face with Grizzly Bears.
2) yes, I’ve sung in the mountains (mostly to scare off the Grizzly Bears).3) no, I’ve never sung “The hills are alive with the sound of music….” in the mountains, though I did once sing “Ch’il Bel Sogno” from La Rondine when myself, my mother and a friend came upon a mother Grizzly and her cub. I guess she was an opera lover, because she allowed us to pass without incident.
4) yes, the Smoky the Bear Hat is VERY cool and fun to wear.
Here is a friend I ran into on the trail one day.
In closing, I would like to share, that I have been
blessed with many wonderful people and opportunities in my life, so the one
thing I am most passionate about in my life, is my obligation to give back, to
contribute in some meaningful way to this world. I do this both through my work
in music, and my dedication to our wild places. I am most concerned about the
human condition - in my immediate neighborhood and in the world at large. I use
my work as a musician to help however I am able.-ie: I've done benefit concerts
for Katrina Relief. I also volunteer my time for various political and social
justice causes.
Some final fun facts: My favorite food is Sushi; my favorite composers are
Verdi, Chopin and Beethoven (not necessarily in that order); my favorite opera
roles are Minnie in “Fanciulla”, Manon Lescaut and Lady Macbeth, whose warm and
fuzzy side is often overlooked. If you wonder if anyone has ever told me I
“look like the girl on Seinfeld” – the answer is yes.
This is just a small sampling of information about me, which I hope you have
enjoyed reading. I look forward to being in touch with you, and meeting you
during engagements or after performances! Thank you for visiting my site!
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