Julia Edwards | Why Music

The exposure to various styles, techniques, instruments, and aspects of music had a lasting impact on how music would influence Julia Edwards’s world. A glimpse into her life with music and images from our portrait session together.

There was always something musical happening it seemed growing up, Julia recalled. Singing was a large part of her early exposure to music. Her family was very musical and would often break out into song at any family celebration, often fighting for who would NOT sing the melody. These experiences really shaped how she saw music from an early age as she began her path into the art form.

When it came time for Julia to play an instrument in school she was overly excited and picked up the violin. However, that is not a common instrument in many school band programs. After moving to a new school she bounced around from flute to the saxophone, then finally landed on the oboe. She explains that it was the first time where an instrument felt like an extension of her. The unique sound and her devotion to perfecting it had her practicing for 6 hours a day during the summer months. Trying to emulate the sounds of famous oboists she listened to.

As a music educator, Julia, brings a wealth of experiences and ideas to her students. That idea of being a listener first and knowing what sounds good is one that she says is vital to any musician’s process. Along with the communal participation that her family instilled. She attributes music as being able to connect and influence all aspects of life. She wants her students to experience their world through music. Whether it is a different culture or recognizing patterns in other disciplines. It is the common thread.

Julia Edwards shares her connection in her own words in the video below.