California resident, Julia Clearman began studying Suzuki piano at the age of five under the direction of Nancy Daley through the Suzuki program at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis, MN. It was during these formative years of study that Julia discovered a deep love for classical piano repertoire and a passion for performing with excellence. While there, Julia performed for the MacPhail Honors Recital, Suzuki Association of Minnesota (SAM) graduation recitals, various competitions, and numerous community performances.
After completing her developmental studies in piano, Julia continued her training at the Wirth Center for the Performing Arts under prominent teacher, Dr. Paul Wirth. During this time, Julia performed in masterclasses with Dr. Victor Shkylar, Dr. Daniel Horn, Tadeusz Majewski, and Nancy Peterson, among others. Her favorite performances have included works by Barber, Brahms, and Schubert, and when she toured throughout the United States of America as a solo pianist and accompanist.
Passionate about teaching excellence in music, Julia has studied piano pedagogy under internationally known Suzuki teacher Mary Craig Powell, Caroline Fraser, Fay Adams, and Dr. Richard Lange. Additionally, her training includes a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul, MN, a Master of Arts in Psychology for Musicians from the University of Sheffield, UK, and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from the Wheaton College Graduate School, IL.
Professionally, Julia has been a collegiate guest lecturer and a member of the Suzuki Association of Minnesota (SAM), the Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA), the American College of Musicians, the National Guild of Piano Teachers (GUILD), American Psychological Association (APA), APA-Division 10, and the Performing Arts Medicine Association (PAMA). An innovative educator and researcher, Julia’s most recent professional engagements can be found on the Engagements page.
Julia has a long history of performing and teaching with a few highlights being faculty accompanist and adjunct professor of music at Crown College, St. Bonifacius, MN; artistic faculty at MacPhail Center for Music, Minneapolis, MN; piano faculty at The Music Connection, Orland Park, IL; and staff accompanist at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Oak Grove, MN. When she is not practicing, teaching, or performing, Julia is composing, rearranging, or dreaming about piano music.
Julia Clearman 