Violin
Member since: 1996
Hometown: Stuttgart, Germany
Hobbies/Interests: Independent film production, recording for film, love animals and enjoy nature, gardening, hiking, creative re-use and recycling.
Play from the heart for it will speak to the soul!
Julia M. Gessinger graduated from the Rudolf Steiner Schule Nürtingen in Germany, a “Waldorf School” prestigious for its emphasis on the arts. She arrived at the University of Miami School of Music on a full scholarship. Her violin teachers since age 7 included Friedrich Rüstig, Thomas D. Moore, Nicholas Mann, and Robert Rozek.
Julia began her professional career in Europe with the renowned ensemble “Internationale Bach Akademie Stuttgart.” In America, she has performed with Southwest Florida Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Jacksonville Symphony, Opera Tampa as well as Seaside Music Theater and the Missouri Chamber Orchestra. During her orchestra career, she has played with renowned artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, Branford Marsalis, Andrea Bocelli, and Sarah Brightman, to name a few. In 1996 she won a core violin position with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, she performs with Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, Winter Park Bach Festival Orchestra, and regularly presents professional chamber groups such as New Score Chamber Orchestra, Cadenza String Quartet, and Piano Trio.
Julia is also very passionate about teaching and has her own private lesson studio in Winter Park. Together with her husband, independent film director Douglas H. Pritchard, she owns Starfield Studios with which she maintains an active recording career for video games and feature films.