What’s your passion and how do you want to make a difference at UWA?
I started studying the violin at UWA in 2014, double majoring in Music Studies and Specialist Music Studies. Being surrounded by all kinds of musicians - orchestral players, pianists, singers, composers - opened my eyes to so many great ways of making music. It gave me a passion for sharing music with others, from playing in string quartets and orchestras to singing together. I'm also passionate about supporting and representing my fellow students as part of the UWA Music Students' Society. It's so important to me that everyone's voice is heard, and that everyone's given opportunities to learn and grow.
How have you approached creating the music that will be performed on November 4th?
To help create the music for Act for Inclusion, I've sought to learn about the principles that run through the songs that Gina and Guy will be performing on stage. Thinking about ideas such as love, legacy, land and family has inspired me in my writing process of arranging instrumental accompaniment for Gina and Guy as well as ethereal musical interludes in between songs.
Why is inclusion important to you personally?
Inclusion is important to me as a musician because too often the history of classical music focuses narrowly on the achievements of the privileged. The beautiful music of marginalised composers has too often gone unheard. Prejudice is rife in all aspects of the music industry, and we all need to make continuing and conscious choices to combat it. Diversity and inclusion is crucial for the future of not just the music world, but the world in general.
About Julia
Julia Nicholls is a Music Honours student in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Philosophy at the University of Western Australia. In 2017, she holds the roles of joint concertmaster of the Western Australian Youth Orchestra and president of the UWA Music Students’ Society. Last year she led WAYO in the opening event of the 2016 Perth International Arts Festival conducted by Iain Grandage, as well as in concert on WAYO’s international tour to Singapore and Japan. Julia has composed and arranged music from a young age, winning prizes in the WAM Song of the Year and ACMF National Songwriting competitions at age 17. She currently composes and arranges as part of a cappella vocal quartet Clarion.
Image: Matthew Galligan Photography