Julia Choi, Violin

Violinist Julia Choi enjoys a varied musical career, with appearances throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. Praised for her “narrative sweep and involving performance” (NY Times), and “delightful idiosyncrasy” (The Classical Source), Julia joined the First Violins of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 2019.

A third-generation educator, Julia is on faculty at Manhattan School of Music’s Pre-College Division, and on Artist-Faculty with the Charles Ives Music Festival in Connecticut. Previously, she was a Teaching Assistant of Ear Training at Juilliard for both the College and Pre-College Divisions, and has assisted in coachings for Juilliard Pre-College, NYC Music School, and Friends with Music. Julia teaches violin privately in her studio as well, enjoying a teaching experience of over a decade, with student accomplishments including competitions, orchestral auditions, summer festivals, acceptance to Pre-College programs, Regional, All-State, and All-Eastern Orchestras (NJMEA), New York Youth Symphony (NYYS), and National Youth Orchestra (NYO). She was invited to give masterclasses at University of Denver, DePaul University, Orchestra of the Americas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico.

Julia also enjoys playing chamber music, and is currently working on a trio CD recording project under the Azica Records label with Dallas Symphony’s Principal Harp Emily Levin, and cellist Christine Lamprea. She was also a co-founding member of the Hyon Trio, with Kevin Ahfat on piano and her sister Jennifer Choi on cello, who made their Alice Tully Hall debut in 2015. As she remains active as a chamber musician, she has premiered works as a member of the New Juilliard Ensemble and AXIOM, and has collaborated with various groups in New York City, including the Korea Society, Manhattan Chamber Players, BalletX, OnSite Opera, Scandinavia House Events, Music on Park Avenue, and Music for Life International.

Prior to her appointment with the Met, she has appeared in performances with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Montclair Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, San Diego Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Julia has also served as the Concertmaster and Principal Second of various ensembles including the Juilliard Orchestra, Juilliard Opera, New York String Orchestra Seminar, Music Academy Festival Orchestra, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, and the Manhattan Chamber Sinfonia. She has spent many summers performing at the Verbier Festival, Artosphere Festival, Charles Ives Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, Spoleto Festival USA, Great Mountains Music Festival, and Meadowmount School of Music. She is also a top prizewinner of competitions including the LISMA International, ASTA, Music Academy Concerto, and Caprio Young Artists Competitions.

A native of New Jersey, Julia began her intensive studies with Sally Thomas at the Juilliard Pre-College Division, and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the Juilliard School as a scholarship student of Glenn Dicterow, Sylvia Rosenberg, and Sally Thomas. In 2017, Julia earned a Professional Studies Degree in Orchestral Performance from the Manhattan School of Music, studying with Glenn Dicterow and Lisa Kim of the New York Philharmonic. Born in Korea, she was raised and is currently based in New Jersey and New York City.