Julie started playing violin when she was nine years old, through the strings program at her public elementary school. After high school, she pursued violin studies with the late Dr Alberto Jaffe, and graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in violin performance in 2001. Since then, she has been teaching private violin and viola lessons, coaches students and teachers through clinics and programs outside of her private studio.

In Olympia, she is Principal Second Violin of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra, and performs with the Olympia Chamber Orchestra, the South Puget Sound College Orchestra in both the violin and viola sections, and plays with her friends in string quartets whenever possible.