My Story

My name is Julia, and I’m 17 years old.  For as long as I can remember, my house has been filled with music, with my mom playing pieces such as Beethoven’s Les Adieux piano sonata, which I will always hold close to me.  I started my musical studies at the age of four, slowly transforming the initially meaningless black dots on the page into music.  My music soon extended beyond my living room, from small competitions to playing for my grandmother for a few minutes each time I saw her.  I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Juilliard Pre-College in 2015, where I continue to grow as a person and musician.  

I remember the first solo recital I ever gave, in the fall of my freshman year.  I remember the feeling of shaking backstage beforehand, my mind filled with scenarios of making mistakes, tripping, and more.  But the second I walked out on stage and saw my friends, family, and teachers, I came to the simple realization that I was just there to share my music—nobody was there to judge me or critique me.  As I bowed and sat down at the piano to play my first note, I felt a wave of tranquility come over me as I silently thanked every member of my audience for supporting me and showing me how powerful this community is.  When I finished my last piece and the whole concert hall clapped and rose to their feet in the first standing ovation I had ever gotten, my love for sharing my music truly resonated with me.

I’ve found that music often provides solace during troubling times, especially as the coronavirus pandemic has brought so much isolation. The pandemic has also shown tremendous empathy as people seek ways to help those who are less fortunate, dedicate time to causes and social justice issues, and seek new opportunities for personal growth. Since recitals were among the things we lost, I wondered: What if we could create a virtual space, in advance of any return to a new normal, where recitals were used to bring awareness about social causes and help raise money for organizations? What if the community inherent in recitals could be activated to do good in the process, connected to the passions and concerns of featured musicians?

Through my project, I hope to share the power of music to heal and act as an agent for change. I hope to cultivate a network of musicians who are not just concerned about honing their talent, but also shaping the world into a better place. 

Welcome to our recitals for change.