Musician

Originally taught by her grandfather, a pub pianist, known for playing old classics such as Roll Out the Barrel, My Old Man, Follow the Van, and The Lambeth Walk, Julie often says that music has “always been in me”. Nurturing her gift and passion, she won the county competitions for Best Soprano in both Dorset and Wiltshire at the age of 18.

Roll Out The Barrel

After completing her formal training at the Royal Academy, Julie went on to perform professionally at some of the nation’s most iconic venues. Her performance highlights include the Royal Festival Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, Windsor Castle, and even before Holocaust survivors at Westminster Central Hall.

In 1983 she sang a solo of the first verse of Jerusalem in Wimborn Minster for an ITV programme presented by the late Sir Harry Seacombe.

In 1988 she performed at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle where she say I Know My Redeemer Liveth from Handle's Messiah.

She has also brought her music to Holloway Women’s Prison (now closed) and Pentonville Prison, offering hope and dignity through song.

Operatic, sopranic, and patriotic, Julie delights in lifting her unique and beautiful voice over a nation she deeply believes needs to rediscover its Christian heritage.

During her career Julie has been in high demand as a soprano soloist across the UK. Her operatic roles include Santuzza in Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana, Marguerite in Gounod’s Faust, Amelia in Verdi’s A Masked Ball, and The Governess in Britten’s Turn of the Screw. She has performed in sacred works like Handel’s Messiah and Orff’s Carmina Burana, and is a sought-after performer of German Lieder for The Stoltz Society in London; having sung R. Strauss’s Four Last Songs with orchestra three times. Julie also delights audiences with songs by Gershwin, Cole Porter, and beloved numbers from popular musicals.

Professional Experience

In 2006, she received the East Dorset Award for Outstanding Achievement for raising thousands of pounds for local charities through concerts and leading music groups for young children, including those with special needs. In April 2010, she reached the semi-final masterclass of The Dame Kiri Te Kanawa Opera Prize on Radio 2.

"It has been a real pleasure to hear Julie at Jon Andrew’s Silhouette Opera concerts singing taxing arias by Mascagni, Verdi, and Puccini – including the extremely challenging ‘In Questa Reggia’ from Turandot. She met every challenge with total assurance. Her powerful, warm, and flexible voice is combined with a highly dramatic stage presence – always a winning combination. I wish her well in what I am sure will be an exciting future."

David Gillard MBE, Opera Critic for the Daily Mail,

Following in the footsteps of Granville Sharp — the renowned musician and slavery abolitionist — Julie has repeatedly found ways to weave together her musical excellence with her ministry calling. Whether singing to inmates in Britain’s toughest jails or composing songs on behalf of society’s most vulnerable, her focus has never been on building her own reputation but on building the Kingdom of God.

Music vs Worship

Gallery

Examples of Work