Upon reflection, Julie’s childhood hometown of Mt. Vernon, Illinois was rich in cultural activity, most notably in the fine arts. It was there that she began private piano instruction at a young age. With her parents’ support and guidance, she was given the foundation for a lifetime of music.

As a teenager, Julie developed under the tutelage of the well-regarded W. H. Beckmeyer. The routine of these lessons would begin with careful listening to classical vinyl, followed by his mature perspectives on life, so necessary for this young student. This shared listening and comfortable dialogue served as a prologue to the study of music theory, analysis, and instruction in classical piano technique. Mr. Beckmeyer encouraged Julie to draw from her life experiences and to pour those feelings into her playing, which remains a hallmark of her music to this day.

Julie continued with her classical piano studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she received her degree in music. While there, she was taught by two of the most respected piano instructors in the country, Ian Hobson and Kenneth Drake. Julie was uniquely inspired by the repertoire of Chopin, Ravel, Debussy and, informed by these masters, began composing piano solos of her own ­- an echo of which is heard throughout this current work.

With poignant melodies enhanced by her treatment of color chords, Julie’s compositions are considered neoclassical in style. Of her several solo piano albums, Homage to the Northwoods perhaps best exemplifies her refined pianistic skills and matured sensibilities as a composer. What was once a nascent promise has come to full fruition. Julie’s evocative musical gift is evident on this album, beautifully performed on her Hamburg Steinway B grand piano. It is her sincere wish that through each song you, too, will experience the wonders of the Northwoods.