The Eastman School of Music’s Voice, Opera & Vocal Coaching Department is thrilled to announce that world-renowned soprano and Eastman alumna Julia Bullock (BM ’09), will be in residence on May 6 and 7, 2022.

On Friday, May 6, Julia will be have a discussion on how restorative justice can be realized in the performing arts and learning environments with Eastman students from 3:30 to 5:00 PM in Hatch Recital Hall. At 7:00 PM, she will teach a public working session with voice students and their collaborative pianists in Hatch Recital Hall.

On Saturday, May 7, Julia will adjudicate the final round of the 2022 Jessie Kneisel Lieder Competition at 1:00 PM in Kilbourn Hall. The Jessie Kneisel Lieder Competition honors the memory of Eastman’s beloved German professor, Jessie Kneisel, and is held annually in May with the preliminary round in March. As a former first prize winner of the Naumburg International Vocal Competition and the Young Concert Artists International Auditions, Julia will bring her significant song and concert experience as an esteemed judge.

“Experiences at Eastman informed so much of my life in music in ways that I couldn’t have anticipated,” says Julia Bullock. “So it will be simply thrilling to witness musical offerings, be in conversation, explore repertoire, and share tools with fellow artists at Eastman.”

Julia Bullock is an American classical singer who “communicates intense, authentic feeling, as if she were singing right from her soul” (Opera News). Combining versatile artistry with a probing intellect and commanding stage presence, she has headlined productions and concerts at preeminent arts institutions around the world.

An innovative curator in high demand from a diverse group of arts presenters, museums and schools, her notable positions have included collaborative partner of Esa-Pekka Salonen at the San Francisco Symphony, 2020–22 Artist-in-Residence of London’s Guildhall School, 2019-20 Artist-in-Residence of the San Francisco Symphony, and 2018-19 Artist-in-Residence at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Bullock is also a prominent voice of social consciousness and activism. As Vanity Fair notes, she is “young, highly successful, [and] politically engaged,” with the “ability to inject each note she sings with a sense of grace and urgency, lending her performances the feel of being both of the moment and incredibly timeless.” Honored as a 2021 Artist of the Year and “agent of change” by Musical America, Bullock gave a Tiny Desk (Home) Concert in NPR Music’s special quarantine edition of the series in December 2020; NPR’s Tom Huizenga characterized it as “among the most transcendent musical moments I’ve experienced this year.” For more information visit: https://juliabullock.com/about/

The three-semester-long Eastman Centennial celebration began in Fall 2021 and continues throughout 2022. Highlights include acclaimed guest artists performing alongside Eastman’s ensembles; national academic and music conferences; alumni events throughout the country; “100 concerts to celebrate 100 years”; a documentary being produced in partnership with WXXI, and more.

For up-to-date information on the Eastman Centennial, including feature stories, future events, videos, testimonials, ways to engage, and more, please visit our Centennial website at https://www.esm.rochester.edu/100.

Media Only: Katey Padden, Public Relations and Social Media Specialist, (585)451-8492, [email protected]

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