Who is Justin Julian?
I’m a viola player based in Adelaide, where I work as Principal Viola of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. I thrive on musical collaboration in various roles as an orchestral player, chamber musician and soloist.
More broadly, I’m a creative person who tries to approach life with curiosity, enthusiasm, commitment (and, let’s be honest, stubborn independence). People who spend time with me after my viola goes back in its case also know me as a mountain hiker, rock climber and cyclist, and someone who is fond of board games alongside a gin and tonic on a night off.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
I’d say I’m generally a happy person, however most musicians are constantly in pursuit of progress, and that restlessness can spread to other areas of life. My restlessness pushes me to continue seeking new paths for artistic growth and never rest on my laurels.
Outside of music, this translates to me pushing myself to learn more skills and overcome bigger challenges when hiking and climbing. So, I guess I wouldn’t do anything differently, I would just continue to be unafraid of all the opportunities for growth that life and music might throw at me.
Who inspires you and why?
I’m inspired by people like violinist James Ehnes and violist Nils Mönkemeyer, who play at the highest level on their instruments, manage the difficult and lonely lifestyle of flying around the world to perform highly exposed concerto, solo and chamber music engagements, and manage to be really laid-back, generous and well-adjusted people in spite of it all.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
If I could cure cancer, end poverty and famine, of course I would! But within my means to affect change, in the future I hope to make a difference to the world by teaching music as well as performing it, and sharing my love for the viola with younger generations.
Music education can empower people to be more self-aware, with better critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills. Learning a musical instrument teaches people to teach themselves, and makes them more empathetic and sensitive, regardless of whether they pursue it as a career.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Anywhere with mountains! I’ve enjoyed recent trips to southern New Zealand, Japan’s Northern Alps and the Swiss Alps. It is very refreshing to get away from the complexity of city life, to mountains and forests where the only really important things are food, water, weather and your own ability to survive. In this environment I can enter a flow state not too different from a musical performance where I’m focused solely on doing something I love.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
We’re lucky in Adelaide to have such nice beaches and wineries. A wine-tasting trip out to McLaren Vale and sunset at my local Henley Beach are probably my first pick of Adelaide attractions. I’d probably take an adventurous guest out hiking or rock climbing at Morialta. In the rare event of bad weather in Adelaide, perhaps a visit to the Art Gallery of South Australia and a classic old pub with live music like the Wheatsheaf Hotel.
What are you currently reading?
Throughout my teens, I was an avid reader, burning through hundreds of pages every day. Now I’m notoriously slow and unfocused when reading (I think I used it all up as a child). I’ve recently been chipping away at An Immense World by Ed Yong, which gives you mind-expanding perspective on everything in the world we can’t perceive.
What are you currently listening to?
Little fragments of whatever I’m playing are constantly on lo loop in my head throughout the day. As a result I tend not to listen to much music outside of whatever I’m preparing or performing, unless you count the occasional live performance that I attend as an audience member.
Happiness is?
The buzz you get on stage at the end of a concert with a high level of focus and enthusiasm from both performers and audience, or the satisfaction of something as simple as a sip of water or an apple at the end of a massive hike.
What does the future hold for you?
My last year was a flurry of performance activity; 3 months of international travel, masterclasses in Europe, performances at Lucerne Festival, and both the Max Rostal and Lionel Tertis international viola competitions, demanding months of intense preparation on top of my full-time orchestral job.
This year I’m taking my foot off the gas a little, focusing more locally on my orchestral work and intimate chamber music collaborations (such as performing at Coriole Music Festival).
I’ll also devote more time to my hobbies and fitness. The future may hold more big musical projects such as competitions for me, but what I most look forward to is experiencing all kinds of music, musicians, ideas and places.
Justin is a featured artist at the Coriole Music Festival – which will be held in McLaren Vale, South Australia, on 17–18 May 2025. For more information and full program, visit: www.coriolemusicfestival.com for details.
Image: Justin Julian (supplied)