“Teaching has always been a passion of mine, and it is my mission to positively impact my students’ lives as my teachers have in my own.”
Julia’s students have successfully been accepted to Pre-College programs, won seats with various regional orchestral auditions, and achieved distinction as leaders in their school orchestras. Some have soloed with their high school orchestras, and many have had success in auditions for NJMEA’s Regional, All-State, and All-Eastern Orchestras, National Youth Orchestra, and with the New York Youth Symphony.
A third-generation educator with over a decade in teaching experience, Ms. Choi is currently on faculty at Manhattan School of Music, and is an Artist-Faculty member with the Charles Ives Music Festival in Ridgefield, CT. She has previously served for three years as a Teaching Assistant of the Ear Training Department at Juilliard, for both the College and Pre-College Divisions.
She has given masterclasses with students with the Met Orchestra Musicians on Lessonface, as well as at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music, Chicago’s DePaul University, Orchestra of the Americas, and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. She has adjudicated for the MTNA Competition, CIMF’s Concerto Competition, and was a panelist for the Juilliard’s Orchestra concertmaster auditions. She has also previously taught and led coachings at Juilliard Pre-College, NYC Music School, and Friends with Music.
Julia strives to aid her students in becoming well-rounded musicians who are capable of playing the violin with strong and dependable technical skill. Her students not only express their music with personality and with heart, but also intellectually with their knowledge instilled through rigorous Theory and Ear Training. She has been fortunate to see her former students grow as musicians and as wonderful people. She has written recommendation letters for former students including for those who have gone on to continue their education at prestigious schools including Juilliard, Brown, Columbia, and Cornell.
Julia’s studio is open to aspiring musicians of all levels and ages — and as she believes that no two are the same, every lesson is customized specifically to each individual student’s needs and goals.
“Julia is amazing – both in her approach to teaching and in her dedication to students. She supported our daughter with patience and dedication and coached her for an audition at MSM over an accelerated timeline. Our daughter was accepted to the Pre-College program which was very rewarding for her and a testament to Julia’s unwavering support.”
— Umit A.
father
“I took private violin classes with Julia for approximately two years. For adult violin students, motivation to practice and overcome obstacles is extremely important. Julia kept me motivated the entire time. With her, I learned to love violin music even more, listen to it in ways I had not discovered, and realize that no matter how fast or slow I went, learning the violin is all about the journey.”
— Felipe M.
adult student in law
“Julia is a true professional with an outstanding depth of knowledge that is rare. She is a true master yet she puts on no airs and is very down to earth. She is kind, compassionate, patient, makes learning fun and her ability to teach an instrument as difficult as the violin is impressive. She makes learning easy. A true gem. Grateful I chose her as a teacher.”
— Michael C.
adult student
“Julia INSPIRES! This is one of the most fantastic things about her. She is enormously talented and experienced, but what makes her a truly great teacher for our son is how she continuously inspires him and encourages to push himself forward and expand the realm of what is possible. We cannot thank her enough!”
— Marina and Stan
parents
“Julia is a fantastic teacher. As an adult picking up violin for the first time, I never expected to make much progress, let alone as quickly as I have with Julia. She is kind and patient, while always instilling proper technique and fundamentals to very high standards. With her, I am learning not only to play notes, but to perform those notes beautifully and to truly understand the music. She is extremely dedicated to her students, no matter the age or level, and her dedication, in turn, helps me stay motivated and makes me want to try harder. Teachers like her are hard to find - I can't recommend her highly enough!”
— Sharon V.
adult student in tech
“I met Julia when I was 11 and she was my mentor at the Music Academy of the West in 2012. She has been my biggest inspiration ever since, and I remember telling my parents that I wanted to go to Juilliard and play violin all the time just like her. Her teaching is extremely valuable and timeless, and she always leads with her kindness and work ethic. I am now 19 and just finished my first year at Juilliard. I have to thank Julia for being such an inspiration and the best mentor I could’ve ever asked for. Julia was the first person who told me that I could really become a musician, and I couldn’t be more thankful for her.”
— Amy S.
college student at Juilliard
“Julia is a wonderful teacher and a fantastic violinist! My 6 year old absolutely loved working with her as she is very very patient and kind. Highly recommend her!”
— Soo B.
mother
“Julia is an exceptionally talented violin teacher who is able to reach all levels of learners. Through her patience and understanding of each student’s needs, Julia brings her students to the next level of study. Our son studied with Julia for many years and grew abundantly in his ability. You really can’t get a more talented teacher than Julia. She can take you as far as you want to go!”
— Roxanne K.
mother
“Julia is a wonderful violin teacher who has helped me improve my violin skills tremendously. Her attitude towards teaching is very professional, as well as friendly and kind. The dedication and care she puts into her students and their improvement is unmatched with other violin teachers. Furthermore, her talent for violin cannot go unnoticed with her profession with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in NY. She is a one of a kind teacher that is very rare to come across.”
— Isabel L.
high school student
“I’ve been taking lessons from Julia for three years now and she is an amazing teacher! I’ve learned and improved so much and I wouldn’t be at the point that I am now without her!”
— Sophie S.
high school student
MSM Pre-College student
“Julia is the exceptionally rare combination of both a tiger mother’s dream and a tiger cub’s wishes. She is a highly efficient and effective teacher at the highest level (but is also excellent with beginners and developing players) - and manages to stay kind and caring. Many a beleaguered violin student was flogged into a pre-college program by means of overbearing authoritarian oversight and many many tears. Magically, Julia manages to accomplish the goal of excellence, but without the collateral emotional damage. She is warm and genuine and inspires my ten-year-old to want to practice spontaneously, and my ten year old has improved tremendously in a short time with her. My child studies with her virtually- I can only imagine how amazing she is in person! You cannot go wrong with Julia, at any level or age. I promise.”
— Jessica
mother
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