Julia Holland has been at the center of the Malibu Arts community for more than 10 years. She teaches singing, piano, and music theory, runs two local singing groups, writes and composes music, performs in musical productions, and also runs her own theater company, Once Upon a Time Children’s Theater.
The Malibu Times caught up with the 2011 Malibu Music Award-winning Educator of the Year on a Monday evening in September.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico until I was 20 and then I moved out to Los Angeles. I moved here for singing. I was a music major and I decided that I did not want to be in school. I just wanted to sing.
When did you become interested in music? Do you come from a family of musicians?
My mom sang, but mostly I just always did and I knew that is what I always wanted to do. I started in the church choir at seven years old. I was the little girl in the back with the big giant voice.
What was your first important success?
Probably when I got a record contract in Nashville.
How did that come about?
I was arranging backup vocals for a singer in Nashville when I was asked to sing a song for Bill Purcell’s new album. He is a well-know jazz player from the sixties. The song, “Since I Fell for You,” became the main cut on the album. The record company wanted to do an album for me. That was 10 years ago, just when 9/11 happened. The record company lost money and decided not to go forward. But because of that I started writing a lot. I learned the craft of writing.
Who are your favorite contemporary musicians?
I like bluesy music Š Alicia Keys and Adele, she’s great. One of the greatest thing about teaching is people bring me music I wouldn’t normally hear. I loved Chaka Khan when I was younger and Christina Aguilera. I loved all music because I’ve sung all music. I had a period in my youth where I just listened to Billie Holiday because of the depth and soul she sang with and the pain she had.
Do you like rap?
Yeah! I totally appreciate rap. It’s its own art form. It’s poetry, it’s a groove. But I don’t like rap when it’s too explicit. When it tells a story and it’s not misogynistic I totally appreciate it.
Why did you move to Malibu?
Because I needed to get my kids into a good school and we’re also a big surfer family.
Are your two children also musically inclined?
Heck yeah! Brooke’s 21 and a great guitar player, singer and songwriter. Tom is 19 and he’s at NYU studying dramatic writing, but he’s a great actor and an amazing singer.
How are you involved in the community?
I have my own theater company with DeeDee Davidson-Porter called Once Upon a Time. We are getting ready to do “Beauty and the Beast” at the Malibu Stage Company. Through the Malibu Stage Company, I just directed “The Wild Party” and I was nominated for an NAACP award for best director of a musical. Coming up this season I’m going to be starring in “Victor/Victoria” at the Malibu Stage Company.
How did you start the Bu Notes? Why?
I started the Bu Notes (a local women’s singing group) through my teaching. I was giving lessons to three friends of mine who came in and wanted to start singing together. So we would put this whole thing together. Then we decided to do a show for our husbands. We thought that Malibu really needed a choir so I put out a big announcement and all these different people showed up and eventually it ended up with just the women we had here. Now we’re a book club that sings. We are actually getting ready to go to New Orleans and perform in the spring, but we perform for fundraisers, events, funerals, memorial services-anywhere people want us to perform.
Do you like working with children or adults better?
I like both. Recently I have been doing therapeutic music in some rehabs and I really like that because I’m using music as a healing aspect. Music really connects you spiritually.
Do you feel that the Malibu public schools have a good arts program?
Malibu High School really does. The theater arts program is amazing. Particularly Jodi Plaia, who is such an amazing teacher and mentor, she does the theater arts program at the high school level. The whole program is amazing, but Jodi’s productions are no less than professional. I know my kids have been profoundly affected by working with her.
Who are the Eco Hero Kids?
I wrote and produced an album for kids about the environment. Kids like to hear kids sing. So I picked kids who I worked with who are really great singers. They are all 12 and under. We sing at schools, festivals and other environmental events to teach other kids about the environment so it would be a hip, cool thing to learn how to become stewards of the earth. So that’s who they are.
What would you say to someone who can’t sing or play an instrument but who loves music?
If you can talk you can sing. Singing is the most freeing, unbelievable thing. I really think it just connects you to the universe in a way that nothing else really does. Anyone can sing.