Biography
About Julie — The Pianomom Behind the Music
My digital identity, "pianomom," originated in 1999 as a tribute to my dual roles as a professional piano teacher and a mother of two. It has since become a long-standing brand for my web presence. My roots go back to Milwaukee, where I was born in 1966. I spent my formative years in the small town of Hubertus, WI, moving there with my family at age three.
My Journey as a Musician and Teacher
My journey as a musician began at age five on a Christmas morning with a toy piano — reminiscent of Schroeder's from the Peanuts comic strip. What began as childhood play quickly evolved into a dedicated passion, and my parents eventually replaced that toy piano with a full-sized upright.
My formal musical education took place at UW-Superior and UW-Stevens Point, where I earned my degree in Composition and Theory. While in Stevens Point, I held my first professional role as a piano instructor for the conservatory. After returning to Milwaukee in 1990, I met my husband Todd and began teaching at his family's music store. We married in 1993 and are the proud parents of two sons, Nick and Andy.
Why I Write Easy Music for Young Choirs
In 2001, I embarked on a new chapter with Plank Road Publishing (Music K-8), serving as a music editor. During my decade-long tenure, I had the privilege of seeing several of my own compositions published, including pieces for recorder and a sacred vocal selection.
That work as an editor showed me what elementary music teachers and children's choir directors really need: 3-part and 4-part music that is easy for young voices to sing and simple to play on piano, with optional Orff parts and MP3 practice tracks when you need them.
I stepped away from my editorial role in 2011 to focus on my family, but this transition paved the way for my current ventures. Today I operate a home-based studio in the Milwaukee area where I specialize in classroom-tested arrangements for young choirs, recorder music for elementary classrooms, and complex a cappella arrangements and professional learning tracks for my YouTube channel.
I'm finally doing what I love most, and I couldn't be more fulfilled.
