Julie grew up singing and playing piano, flute, and violin in Warren, Pennsylvania. She performed English madrigals and sacred tunes for choral performances, and classical and pop pieces for orchestra and band.
Additional musical influences included listening to big band records with her parents; hard rock, pop and Christian bands of the 1980s with friends; and 50s, 60s, and 70s rock and blues records with her older brothers.
When Julie was a music major at Clarion University she witnessed a friend’s tragic death. Her faith in God was shaken and her dreams were clouded. After graduation she was introduced to guided imagery through music, which helped her to process her trauma. She pursued a second degree in music therapy at Arizona State University while living in Phoenix and was reintroduced to the healing power of songwriting.
She transitioned from working as a board-certified music therapist in 2013 while living in St. Louis and began to present themed music programs for senior care communities.
She moved back to her Western PA roots with her husband in 2020, and like everyone else, had to pivot during the pandemic. She dove into learning music production for her own songs and for custom songwriting clients.
In November, 2022, she was blessed to resume presenting her themed music programs to live audiences: senior care communities, senior centers and churches in Northwestern PA. She started with Timeless Christmas Tunes and Tales, then Sentimental Journey, and since 2023 has added Songs for the Savior, Songs for Immanuel, From Easter Bunny to Empty Tomb: A Pilgrimage to Truth, and Songs for the Risen Savior. You can learn more here: Music Programs
You can visit her home page and enter your email address to sign up for the mailing list, if you're not already connected. You’ll stay up to date with her latest musical adventures and can download a free copy of her original song “Immanuel” (written in 2010 and inspired by her breast cancer diagnosis).