Julia Steward has been singing and playing piano since she was one year old. Julia grew up in a home of musicians and the House of Peace and Friendship, where her family hosts and entertains dignitaries from all over the world. Julia’s mom is a professional accordion/piano player and singer, who taught music to Julia, Julia’s brother and various music schools all her life. Julia’s dad, who plays button accordion and sings, is a sound manager. Julia is very grateful to her parents for being the most important teachers of her life and passing these valuable experiences on to her. Julia’s brother Arthur also plays the guitar and sings duets with Julia.
Julia attended Specialized Music School of the Ural State Conservatory in Europe, where she studied flute, piano, solfege (ear training), harmony, music history and music theory.
At age 16 Julia was awarded a gold medal for performing in International Competition for flute. Julia also received a Superior Award from Yakima Valley Music Educators Association and Yakima Valley Interscholastic Activities Association (February, 1993), Merit Award and Honorable Mention for participating in the Young Artists' Competition, Mid-Columbia Symphony Society and Guild, Washington (1993).
Julia played her flute in Mix Master Mike’s Music Video “Surprize Packidge”, appeared on many TV shows such as Creative TV/KMVT, www.open-world.tv, taught languages and music on television since age 9 and traveled and lived in many countries. She also accompanied various musicals.
Julia has been performing for Unity Church since it came to the House of Peace and Friendship in 1992. In 1999 Julia joined Trinity United Methodist Church as a Music Director and truly enjoyed working with the choir and sharing her music with the Church. Today Julia directs, cantors and accompanies for three choirs in the Diocese. In May, 2001 Julia received her Master’s degree in Improvised Music Studies (Ethnomusicology), specializing in Jazz Vocal from San Jose State University. Julia really enjoys improvising vocally (scat) and on various instruments (piano, flute, saxophone, guitar, accordion and drums).
Julia has written several tunes such as “Peace on Earth: A tribute to September 11th” (2001) in different languages. In 1999 she translated into Spanish and sang an R&B track “I’ll show you” – “Yo Te Lo Mostrare”. Julia has also arranged several tunes such as “I wish…” (2002), "Sunshiny Days" (2003) and many others. Julia's demo CD covers various tracks recorded by Julia since her childhood.
Julia has performed with Pete Escovedo Orchestra (at San Jose’s Music in the Park, San Mateo County Fair and Santa Cruz Fisherman’s Wharf), El Mambo Combo at the San Jose Jazz Festival, Mexican Heritage Plaza and Zucchini Festival (featuring Bobby Escovedo), Billy G. Woodruff formerly of “The Drifters”, Danny Hall formerly of “Journey”. Additionally, Julia performed with Gypsy Tribe, Suave (featuring Jorge Santana), Kool Kats; at Santana Row, Milpitas Festival, Pumpkins in the Park; for www.muybueno.net, Pacific Art Collective and many other renowned musicians, bands and venues worldwide. She has a strong love and appreciation for any style of music and believes that it brings love, joy and beauty to our World, making it a better place!
