Testimonials
“Julie is a fabulous teacher—patient, flexible, funny, and just the right kind of stickler for technique, which I really need and respect. It’s amazing that she works just as well with adults as with kids. The remote lessons are key for me and allow me to fit lessons into my busy schedule without the extra schlep. 10/10 recommend!”
Dr. Tamra Mendelson
Professor and Associate Chair of Biological Sciences, UMBC
“As a fellow musician and music educator, I was immediately impressed by Julie’s clear skill a string player and teacher, as well as her joy and natural way with relating to and teaching kids. She blends the nuts and bolts of learning the instrument with the more important ingredients of lifelong musicality- pleasure and playfulness. I can’t recommend her highly enough.”
Jennifer Hamady
“The Art of Singing”
Adjunct Professor, American Univeristy
“Julie has enriched our lives so far beyond what she does with the violin. Our son has been taking lessons from Julie for 5 years and she is absolutely the best. Julie connects in a real way with her students and parents, and is encouraging and kind while drawing out the best in the people she teaches. I can honestly say that I don't know if my son would have stuck with playing as long if it were not for Julie. Even when my son didn't feel like showing up to the lesson, he always left uplifted and glad he did. Julie has been not only a great violin teacher, but has been a mentor, support and guide for my son as he navigated middle school. She is what I (and most parents) are decidedly not for their kids - cool and hip, so connect with kids in a way that most parents can't. Her positive influence has gone way beyond that of teaching the violin (which she is excellent at). I am so grateful to have Julie in our lives! If you are looking at teachers for your child's violin practice, you can stop now.”
Michael Danzansky
Parent
“Julie Stoessel holds her students to a very high standard and as a result they rise to their greater potential. And I greatly appreciate this about Julie.
Our daughter Nicole has studied with Julie for the past four years, starting in 4th grade, and has become more accomplished than we could have imagined thanks to Julie’s commitment to moving her forward with encouragement, precision, and gentle rigor to achieve what Julie knows she’s capable of. Nicole shared, “Julie knows I’m capable but she knows I’m more than capable.”
She also added, “Julie is personal with me, but I know she is still my teacher and I like that.”
I also appreciate that Julie stayed connected with our daughter during the pandemic and continued to teach remotely. When upheaval impacted all of us, Julie quickly pivoted. Lessons continued, providing our child with some sense of stable familiarity during those unknown, scary times for our children. Nicole was able to enjoy her violin and continued progressing with her teacher. She looked forward to her weekly lessons with Julie.
Now an 8th grader at Lake Champlain Waldorf School, and thanks to having a teacher like Julie who gets her students to stretch as musicians, Nicole is a member of the Vermont Youth Orchestra, after successfully making it through the stomach churning audition process. Julie’s experience with auditions and orchestras provided the calm and confident support for Nicole to be solidly prepared to showcase her abilities as a young violinist.
To watch your child progress and excel in something that they have discovered matters to them is one of life’s great joys.
To find a person like Julie Stoessel to be by their side as a trusted teacher with youthful energy, and as their friend in this pursuit, only makes the joy better.
I am very grateful Julie is in Nicole’s life.”
Colleen Corrigan
Parent
"Julie has taught all three of my children violin and viola over the past 12 years and she never disappoints. She's a great musician herself, and she has an innate ability to meet each student where they are and bring excitement and enthusiasm through her methods and choices of repertoire. My kids have always looked forward to their time with her, live or remote, and she's made a real impact on their ability to read, interpret and perform music of all types. Julie is a cool, positive-minded teacher who can take her students wherever they want to go."
William Merkel
Parent
Julie pays great attention to detail. I have been playing violin for 20 years and never understood the cause of the tension in my hand. Julie was able to fix the problem and has helped me understand the mechanics of playing violin.
Andy Thammasathiti, student
“I am confident that others will talk about Julie’s skill as a teacher and professional musician. And I could, of course, I profess the same, she is full of talent and a great teacher. However, what is most important as I look back on the relationship she developed with a then fourth grade boy and how the mentorship changed and adapted as he aged up through his teenage years is most memorable. She always met him where he was, encouraged him both as a musician and as a person, expanded his horizons and helped him develop a love for classical music and raggaeton.
He always knew that Julie would speak honestly to him while always having his back. Her connection to the breakdancing world, her love of travel and hip hop, her spirit that yells “FUN” are all pieces of this amazing woman that add important layers on top of her work as a music instructor. She is so much more. Thanks Julie for all you did for the boy, your spirit is in him and the music will always be a part of him.”
Krisitan Whipple
Educator
Sienna School, Maryland