A Song In Her Heart And Fame In Her Future

by Courtney Giannone

For fifteen year old Julia Barber, a sophomore at Greenwich High School in Connecticut, writing music and singing is her life. It is her passion, and it is also what she turns to when the stresses of teenage life become overwhelming. "I've been brought up and raised to be a singer," she told TeenSpeak after amazing the staff with her talent. "If I were to do anything else, I would be lying to myself."

Making her singing debut at the age of six, Julia sang on the Bouncing Shoes album. Originally supposed to sing background music, she ended up doing two solos, the producers were so impressed by her talent. Currently working on a demo to release to producers and record labels, Julia has been developing a following in her hometown, performing and winning the Composers' Show Case for two years in a row and also the Highest Honor award at her high school talent show.

Julia plays the guitar, sings and writes her own music! She has been writing music since the age of twelve. She admits that her writing comes from her heart and personal experience. "I create melodies by fiddling with my guitar and then I find a voiceline." Inspired by singers, such as Lisa Loeb, Cheryl Crow and her father, Julia has a great respect for Jewel, and it may not be a coincidence that she sings like her as well.

Julie comes from a musical family. Her dad was in a band called Flim and the BBS, and he is now a studio musician. Her uncle directed shows Broadway shows in theaters in the west, and her aunt was often given starring roles in these productions. Her other uncle plays the drums for musicals and also plays with a symphony orchestra. Her other aunt teaches piano. Julia volunteered that music has been in her family's genes, and "It all started when my grandparents met while playing a gig together!"

Julia Barber