Biography
Julia Marie Schorn is a Ph.D. student at UCLA, where she has played with the UCLA Philharmonia.
She is currently the harpist for the International Space Orchestra.
Julia is a graduate of Princeton University where she was Principal Harpist of the Princeton University Orchestra and earned a Certificate in Musical Performance. In high school, at Canyon Crest Academy (CCA), she was a member of the Instrumental Music Conservatory. Julia began her musical studies on the piano at the age of 5. She first became inspired to pursue the harp when she was introduced to the music of harpist Catrin Finch by her sixth grade school principal. She began studying harp at age 12 under Sheila Sterling, retired Principal Harpist of the San Diego Symphony. As a classically trained harpist, she has studied with and participated in master classes with many notable and internationally renowned harpists. At Princeton Julia studied with Dr. Elaine Christy. Julia was a harpist with the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory (SDYS) for six years, serving as Principal Harpist of the two most advanced ensembles, Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia. She was awarded the Carson Kemp Memorial Merit Scholarship by SDYS in 2010.
Julia was honored with a 2013 Kyoto Prize Symposium Semi-Finalist Award. In 2013 her other music related awards included The San Diego Foundation Barta-Lehman Musical Scholarship and The San Diego Chapter of the American Harp Society Scholarship. Julia was a First Prize winner in the 2012 Music Teachers’ Association of California San Diego Branch VOCE Music Competition. In 2012 she was also selected to play with the professional musicians of the San Diego Symphony in their "Best and Brightest" Concert. Julia was selected for the prestigious CODA California All State Honors Orchestra for two years in a row during high school. She was also a regularly featured performer on the Music 101 program on San Diego's classical radio station, 104.9 FM. Julia was selected to perform in the 2017 Intercollegiate Chamber Music Festival in a harp duo in the Showcase Concert at Lincoln Center. She has also recorded a harp soundtrack for the trailer of an animated film, JIBi. In 2021 Julia was featured in the Amazon Prime Kid Cudi video with the International Space Orchestra.
Julia was the President of the CCA Music Moves Community Service Club for four years in which she organized monthly community outreach performances, with other student musicians, vocalists, and dancers, primarily in nursing homes and settings where the homebound residents do not have the opportunity to attend concerts. Julia has served as the harpist for the St. Therese of Carmel Adult Choir.
Julia enjoys working as a harp teacher and coach. She performs a diverse repertoire of classical, popular, and religious music in many venues including Lincoln Center in New York, Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego, The Grand Del Mar Hotel, The Westgate Hotel, The Del Mar Country Club, The Rancho Santa Fe Country Club, Anthology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The Neurosciences Institute, UCSD Faculty Club, The La Jolla Women’s Club, The Mingei International Museum, The San Diego Marriott Marquis, private parties, teas, ceremonies, special events, weddings, and receptions. Notable occasions include the Nierenberg Prize VIP Reception for James Cameron and a dinner with Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Julia performs on a Salvi Apollo Concert Grand harp.
She is currently the harpist for the International Space Orchestra.
Julia is a graduate of Princeton University where she was Principal Harpist of the Princeton University Orchestra and earned a Certificate in Musical Performance. In high school, at Canyon Crest Academy (CCA), she was a member of the Instrumental Music Conservatory. Julia began her musical studies on the piano at the age of 5. She first became inspired to pursue the harp when she was introduced to the music of harpist Catrin Finch by her sixth grade school principal. She began studying harp at age 12 under Sheila Sterling, retired Principal Harpist of the San Diego Symphony. As a classically trained harpist, she has studied with and participated in master classes with many notable and internationally renowned harpists. At Princeton Julia studied with Dr. Elaine Christy. Julia was a harpist with the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory (SDYS) for six years, serving as Principal Harpist of the two most advanced ensembles, Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia. She was awarded the Carson Kemp Memorial Merit Scholarship by SDYS in 2010.
Julia was honored with a 2013 Kyoto Prize Symposium Semi-Finalist Award. In 2013 her other music related awards included The San Diego Foundation Barta-Lehman Musical Scholarship and The San Diego Chapter of the American Harp Society Scholarship. Julia was a First Prize winner in the 2012 Music Teachers’ Association of California San Diego Branch VOCE Music Competition. In 2012 she was also selected to play with the professional musicians of the San Diego Symphony in their "Best and Brightest" Concert. Julia was selected for the prestigious CODA California All State Honors Orchestra for two years in a row during high school. She was also a regularly featured performer on the Music 101 program on San Diego's classical radio station, 104.9 FM. Julia was selected to perform in the 2017 Intercollegiate Chamber Music Festival in a harp duo in the Showcase Concert at Lincoln Center. She has also recorded a harp soundtrack for the trailer of an animated film, JIBi. In 2021 Julia was featured in the Amazon Prime Kid Cudi video with the International Space Orchestra.
Julia was the President of the CCA Music Moves Community Service Club for four years in which she organized monthly community outreach performances, with other student musicians, vocalists, and dancers, primarily in nursing homes and settings where the homebound residents do not have the opportunity to attend concerts. Julia has served as the harpist for the St. Therese of Carmel Adult Choir.
Julia enjoys working as a harp teacher and coach. She performs a diverse repertoire of classical, popular, and religious music in many venues including Lincoln Center in New York, Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego, The Grand Del Mar Hotel, The Westgate Hotel, The Del Mar Country Club, The Rancho Santa Fe Country Club, Anthology, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, The Neurosciences Institute, UCSD Faculty Club, The La Jolla Women’s Club, The Mingei International Museum, The San Diego Marriott Marquis, private parties, teas, ceremonies, special events, weddings, and receptions. Notable occasions include the Nierenberg Prize VIP Reception for James Cameron and a dinner with Dr. Condoleezza Rice. Julia performs on a Salvi Apollo Concert Grand harp.