Biography

Julia Francis (b. 1996) is a passionate composer, arranger, musician, and performer based in Auckland. From a young age, she pursued her dream of becoming a composer, achieving her Bachelor of Music degree with Honours in composition at the University of Auckland in 2018. She then pursued a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education Teaching, demonstrating her commitment to nurturing future generations.

Julia's music is imbued with profound emotional depth, connecting to soundscapes and imagery that resonate deeply with listeners. Her compositions are renowned for their lyrical brilliance and their ability to touch hearts on both social and personal levels. Her diverse body of work, which includes choral, orchestral, solo, and chamber pieces, has been performed by esteemed ensembles such as the Auckland Youth Choir, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Jade String Quartet, and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

Her journey has been marked by remarkable achievements, including being a two-time finalist in the University of Auckland Douglas Lilburn Trust Composition Competition (2017, 2018) and the UoA Llewelyn Jones Piano Composition (2016, 2018). She is also a three-time finalist in the NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composer Award (2018, 2020, 2022) and received a highly commended award in the inaugural NZCF Compose Aotearoa competition (2020). In 2017, her work was recorded and workshopped by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. In 2020, she was appointed composer-in-residence for the Auckland Youth Choir, where her poignant piece, "A Night Thought," was commissioned and premiered at The Final Frontier concert.

Additionally, Julia collaborated with Mike Chunn from 'Play it Strange,' skillfully arranging and orchestrating two winning pieces for the 2021 Play it Strange National Songwriting Competition. Through her artistry and dedication, Julia continues to inspire and uplift those who experience her music. 


Visit Julia’s SOUNZ profile here:

Achievements

Education

  • Bachelor of Music (Honours), Composition, 2018

  • Bachelor of Music, Composition, 2017

Selection and Awards

  • Finalist, NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composers Award 2022, for “German Waltz” (2022) for orchestra, to be recorded at Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

  • Highly Commended Award, Compose Aotearoa 2020, for "A Night Thought” for double choir

  • Composer-in Residence for Auckland Youth Choir 2020

  • Commission for "A Night Thought” for Auckland Youth Choir: Chamber Choir at ‘The Final Frontier’ Auckland Youth Choir Concert in December, 2020

  • Finalist, NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composers Award 2020, for “Isolation” (2020) for orchestra, to be recorded at Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

  • Selected for CANZ Composers Workshop 2020, for “Tallulah’s Ride” (2018) for solo clarinet, performed by Leah Thomas at Nelson School of Musical Arts

  • Selected for CANZ Composers Workshop 2019, for “Flute Song of Hinemoa” (2019) for chamber ensemble, performed by TrioNique (Clare Penny, Tomoni Johnson, and Gabriela Glapska), Barbara Paterson, and James Webster at Nelson School of Musical Arts

  • Finalist, NZSO Todd Corporation Young Composers Award 2018, for “The Fall of Icarus” (2017) for orchestra, recorded at Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington

  • Selected for UoA Third Year Dance Studies Student Showcase 2018, for “Tallulah’s Ride (2018) for solo clarinet and dancer(s), performed by Courtney Evison, Bethany Laycock and Rebecca Johnson (dancers) and Alysha Hardey (choreographer) at Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku

  • Finalist, Douglas Lilburn Trust Composition Prize Concert 2018, UoA School of Music, for “Tallulah’s Ride (2018) for solo clarinet and dancer(s), performed by Courtney Evison, Bethany Laycock (dancer), and Alysha Hardey (choreographer)

  • Selected for CANZ Composers Workshop 2018, for “The Awakening” (2018) for piano trio, performed by Laura Barton, Paul Mitchell, and Gabriela Glapska at Nelson School of Musical Arts

  • Finalist, Llewelyn Jones Prize Concert for Piano 2018, UoA School of Music, for “Unpredictable Weather at Moturoa Island” (2018) for piano duo, perfumed by Kate Sheldon and Moira Pascoe

  • Finalist, Douglas Lilburn Trust Composition Prize Concert 2017, UoA School of Music, for “Arya’s Journey” (2017) for string quartet, performed by Grace McKenzie, Richard Paull, Caroline Norman, and Joshua Taylor

  • Selected for APO Our Voice Ensemble Workshop 2017, for “Arya’s Journey” (2017) for string quartet, performed by Jade String Quartet (Miranda Adams, William Hanfling, Rob Ashworth and David Garner)

  • Selected for APO Our Voice Orchestral Workshop 2017, directed by Ray Chan, for “The Fall of Icarus” (2017) for orchestra

  • Finalist, Llewelyn Jones Prize Concert for Piano 2016, UoA School of Music, for “Four Miniatures for the Solar System” (2016) for piano, performed by Ji Huyn (Jane) Sohn