Julia Wen

Cello Faculty (Suzuki) and Musikgarten Faculty
Instruments: 
Cello
Musikgarten Faculty
Program Area: 
Private Instruction
Suzuki Education
Musikgarten
With Music Institute of Chicago since: 
2016
Education: 

M.M. in Cello Performance/Pedagogy - The Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University

B.M. in Cello Performance - Roosevelt University

Significant teachers and mentors: 

Gilda Barston, Richard Hirschl, and Alan Stepansky

Teaching philosophy and areas of expertise: 

As a teacher, I aim to instill music appreciation and performance ability in each of my students by developing habits of excellence, commitment, and creativity. I believe every individual has potential to learn and perform at his or her highest level. Since all students differ, lessons are structured as engaging opportunities to encourage each person’s strengths and identify solutions for weaknesses. I hope to inspire my students to pay music forward as a gift to themselves and to the community. The study of music is not an end to itself but a means of developing great character.

Awards and achievements: 

Performing Arts Scholarship; Gloria Miner Scholarship (Roosevelt University) Valparaiso University Academic and Music Leadership Scholarships (Valparaiso University) Valparaiso University Competition Winner - performed Tchaikovsky "Rococo Variations" on a tour in China

Professional affiliations & activities: 

Pi Kappa Lambda Society (Epsilon Omicron Chapter); Suzuki Association of the Americas

Interests outside of music: 

If I'm not practicing, you can find me baking, cooking, reading, swing dancing, and/or dreaming of living in a British seaside cottage.

Favorite practice tip: 

A la Richard Hirschl: Practice at a listening tempo. Practicing at a speed that allows you to listen carefully for intonation and anticipate tricky passages without stopping.

Favorite composer or piece to play: 

I'm a huge fan of the Baroque and Romantic eras.

Favorite musical moment: 

Performing a cello quartet version of the Mission Impossible Theme with friends. I was both a spy and a musician for ten glorious minutes.

Work experience: 

Cello Faculty at the Peabody Preparatory; Music Theory Teaching Fellow at the Peabody Conservatory; Teaching Artist at ORCHKids (Baltimore Symphony Orchestra); Site Coordinator for Peabody's Creative Access (student volunteer performing organization); Staff Member at the Chicago Suzuki Institute; Blog Writer and Editor for the CREDO Music Blog.