She enjoys a thriving career as a versatile musician. She is Professor and the Stephen J. Hendrickson Chair of Choral Activities at North Park University, Chicago, where she directs the choirs and teaches conducting, vocal pedagogy, and music education. Julia also serves as Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette.
Julia has been the Artistic Director of the Canadian Chamber Choir, Canada’s national professional chamber choir, since 2004. She has led the CCC on concert and workshop tours from coast to coast and conducted their Juno-nominated recording, Sacred Reflections of Canada — A Canadian Mass. Julia is co-author with Stephen LaTour of the book Vocal Technique — A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers published by Waveland Press and winner of Choral Canada’s award for Best Choral Publication. The second edition of the book was published in the spring of 2020. Julia is in demand as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor. She spent much of 2020/21 presenting virtual workshops for choirs across North America.
She holds degrees in Education, Conducting, and Voice Performance from the University of Western Ontario (London, Ontario), the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Michigan), and a D.M. from Northwestern University. Julia resides in Skokie with her husband, baroque violinist Martin Davids, and their two children.