Julia Tan - President's Young Performer 2020

JULIA TAN, marimba

Born in Singapore, Julia Tan began her musical journey at age eleven on the piano. She was introduced to percussion in Secondary school, and completed her Diploma studies as the Best Graduate from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA). Julia then received her Bachelor’s degree in Percussion Performance from the Mannes School of Music (New York) on a full scholarship. Upon graduation, Julia was awarded the George and Elizabeth Gregory Award for Excellence in Performance and the Mannes Dean’s Award. Her teachers include Eriko Daimo, Maya Gunji, Joseph Tompkins, Michael Werner, Mark Suter, Christian Schiøler and Glen Velez.

As a soloist, Julia made her debut performing Anders Koppel’s Marimba Concerto No. 1 after winning the Mannes Concerto Competition 2019. She has also appeared as guest percussionist with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Ding Yi Music Company, Singapore Lyric Opera and The Philharmonic Orchestra in Singapore. She also performed with the Martha Graham Dance Company in New York in collaboration with the Mannes Orchestra, as well as the Sichuan Symphony Orchestra in Chengdu.

An avid collaborator and educator, Julia seeks to inspire others and connect people together through music. She also has a profound interest in pedagogy and hopes to inspire future youths and promote percussion literature.