Julie Popplewell

Julie Popplewell received her Bachelors of Music in Oboe Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. While at UIUC, she won the Smith Music Competition, earning a full tuition scholarship. Julie has studied with renowned oboists — Dr. Nancy Ambrose King, Daniel Stolper, and Scott Hostetler. Additionally, she has studied with Grover Schiltz, Deb Stevenson, Jelena Dirks, Lora Schaefer, Gordon Hunt, and Richard Killmer. After post-graduate work done at DePaul University, Julie quickly became an active freelance oboist and teacher in the Chicago area, maintaining an oboe studio consisting of 30+ students in the western suburbs.

Julie’s orchestral experiences include Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, Northbrook
Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Chamber Orchestra and the Chicago Camerata among
others. She also is an active soloist and chamber ensemble member with Bel Sonore
Chamber Ensemble and Duo Voce.

Julie has a unique pedagogical style and prides herself on her reed making skills. Many
of her students have earned youth symphony chairs, collegiate scholarships, and have
professional careers. Julie has been an adjudicator for ILMEA district 9 since 2007 and
guest artist at Illinois Summer Youth Music Pre-College Camp since 2018.