JULIA KIRK

POI VIRTUOSI orchestra conductor & VIOLin/VIOLA coach

Julia Kirk is a young American violist and violinist from Jackson, Mississippi. As a soloist, her most notable achievements are First Prize Winner of the International Viola Competition of Mississippi and Finalist of the Shepherd School of Music Concerto Competition. Her performances have taken her all over the world to Europe, Asia, and South America. She has made solo appearances with the Symphonic Orchestra of Cuzco, Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, and the Master Camerata. In 2013, Julia won a position in the inaugural year of the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America, which traveled to Russia and England under the baton of Maestro Valery Gergiev. She returned to NYO-USA in 2015, winning a principal position, and traveling to China under the baton of Maestro Charles Dutoit. She has also won orchestral leadership positions at Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, where she won the Maddy Summer Artist Award, and received a fellowship to attend Aspen Music Festival in 2017. As a passionate chamber musician, she attended the Taos Chamber Music Festival and School in the summer of 2022. Her interest in contemporary music has led her to perform and record music for current composers including Anthony Brandt and Karim Al-Zand, as well as up and coming student composers. She has also played in the Shepherd School Contemporary Ensemble under the direction of Jerry Hou. Julia holds a B.A. in Theatre and Conducting from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and a Master of Music in Viola Performance from Rice University.