Having started writing music at eight years old, Julia Juno released her latest single Forever in October, with the song based on her experience with a theatre group, and she has released two further singles this year – Make It Out Alive (Reimagined) and Gurl in the Pictures – with her producer Kory Shore. Recently, Julia performed live at American Cancer Society and Burlingame on the Avenue, and she previously finished first place in Pacifica’s Got Talent and second place in the DDO Artists Agency competition. Julia’s stage projects include A Christmas Carol with ACT Young Conservatory, Gypsy with Palo Alto Players, and she starred as Annie in Annie for the Coastal Repertory Theatre. For Julia’s theatre training, she attends ACT in San Francisco and Broadway Artists Alliance in New York, and she is currently in rehearsals to play Summer Hathaway in School of Rock at Hillbarn Theatre from Thursday 19th November to Sunday 20th December, and continuing with music, she will be releasing more songs and is planning an album release next year. We caught up with Julia, who told us about her latest single Forever, what it’s like writing original music, her upcoming release plans and her theatre career including playing Annie in Annie.

Your new single Forever is based on your experience with a theatre group; was there anything that encouraged you to write the song and how was it reflecting on your time with the group?

Yes. I was inspired to write this song by a theatre group that felt like family to me. It was one of the best casts and directors I have ever worked with, both in the sense of feeling connected to them and in how talented they were. We made amazing shows together, and it felt like a “home away from home”. When it ended, I wished I could go back and relive those moments. I was finally able to go back there again when I was less busy, but it was not the same. I will miss that experience, but it will live in my heart forever.

What does the song mean to you and what do you hope listeners will take from Forever?

I realised that these special moments, when you find them in life, have to be cherished as they will not last forever. The song is about nostalgia, growing up and realising that even though people and moments move on, they can still stay with you.

How does it feel now Forever is released, and what has it been like seeing the response so far?

I am just so happy that I have the chance to talk about this song with you! It means so much to me that I can share it with the world, and I am excited for more people to hear it.

How long has Forever been in the making, and how much did the lyrics change over time?

It took me about two weeks to finish writing this song. The lyrics change slightly over time as I think more deeply about my ideas. Sometimes, I have to change a phrase here or there to fit a really good melody.

This year, you have also released the songs Make It Out Alive (Reimagined) and Gurl in the Pictures, can you tell us about them?

I wrote Make It Out Alive (Reimagined) about something that was personal to me. It’s about a time when I felt afraid to express myself because I was scared of what other people thought of me. Everyone deserves to stand up for what they believe in and have a voice. This song is about realising that it’s okay not to be okay, that your voice matters, and that you’re stronger than you think. I want this song to empower people to speak out without being afraid.

Gurl in the Pictures means a lot to me. It has been my most popular song. I wrote it because I realised that I needed to move on from some fake friends who weren’t supporting me. I needed to stop changing myself to fit in with them and just be confident in who I am.

The “gurl in the pictures” is myself when I was younger, when things were simple and friends weren’t complicated. I miss that girl because I know things will never be the same, and I have to learn how to move on. The cover art for this is of me as a five year old with my mom on a carousel – an image that takes me back to a time when I didn’t have any worries or stress.

Do you have a songwriting process and how is it working with your producer Kory Shore?

Song ideas will pop into my head at random times, and I will grab the closest phone to record my ideas on videos or voice memos. My mom said I used almost all the memory on her phone, so we had to buy more storage. I also always write the lyrics down by hand on the closest piece of paper before I type them up.

Working with Kory Shore has been amazing. He has this way about him that makes me feel like he is family or a friend I have known for a long time. Even though the sessions are long and we work hard, we always have a fun time creating something amazing together.

We understand you started writing music at the age of eight, how do you feel your music has evolved since then and what do you enjoy most about writing original music and playing the guitar and piano?

My music has evolved a lot since I first started at age eight. I wrote my first song, Stronger Than a Villain, when I was in 3rd grade, and performed it on Zoom during the pandemic for my school talent show. I have always been good at creating melodies, but the lyrics I felt weren’t as important. Over time, I realised that they are just as important, if not more so, than anything else in a song.

Since then, I have really improved my songwriting. I have to thank Judy Stakee, who has been an amazing artistic development mentor for me. She taught me song structure and emphasised the importance of telling stories through my songs.

What is it like hearing your finished songs for the first time, and who do you think your music will appeal to?

It is surreal listening to my finished songs on Spotify once they are released. It means the world to me that I can share the songs that I have worked so hard on, and that mean so much to me, with others. I think my music can appeal to people of all ages, but especially middle schoolers and teenagers. I hope it makes people of all ages feel understood.

How was it performing live recently at American Cancer Society and Burlingame on the Avenue?

Both were really fun!! It was really cool to be able to help raise awareness for cancer by performing my original songs.

Where does your love of music and musical theatre come from and how did you get into both?

I have always loved listening to music. My mom and grandparents are Cuban, so music and dance were always big in our household. I started writing music during the pandemic, when my parents bought me an acoustic guitar. I have said that I didn’t find music; music found me. This is my passion. I wrote my first song, Stronger Than a Villain, when I was eight years old and performed it on Zoom for my 3rd grade talent show. I started doing musical theatre with my older sister when I was 10, and I immediately fell in love with it! My first show was a short version of Wicked, and I played Elphaba.

With your passion for theatre, you have performed in shows including A Christmas Carol with ACT Young Conservatory, Gypsy with Palo Alto Players and Annie with Coastal Repertory Theatre; can you tell us about your theatre roles?

My most memorable role was Annie in Annie at CRT. I was only 10, and it was the biggest lead role I had ever had. The whole show rested on my shoulders, so it taught me to perform under intense pressure in front of a lot of people. I really have loved every single show that I have ever done.

What is it like training with American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco and Broadway Artists Alliance in New York?

I have really enjoyed my training at ACT in their youth cabaret program and acting classes. Everyone there is so nice and supportive, but I also feel that they want us to learn and work hard. I feel so lucky to have a top acting training program in my backyard.

BAA in NY has been an amazing experience. I have completed both acting and voice majors there over the last two summers and have learned a ton while having so much fun in NY. I always feel like I am pushed to a whole new level when I go to BAA since the actors there are all so talented, and many are famous already!

You finished first place in Pacifica’s Got Talent and second place in the DDO Artists Agency competition, what were these like to take part in?

I played my original song Be Different for Pacifica’s Got Talent on my acoustic guitar. It was a community competition, and I was so happy that everyone who voted liked my song.

DDO Artists Agency had a national competition where all their clients could submit their talent online, so I submitted a video performing two of my original songs. I was so honoured to be voted second place, since all the people who submitted were so talented.

Do you have any favourite music artists to listen to and are there any you would most like to collaborate with?

Nessa Barrett, Tate McRae, Olivia Rodrigo, Freya Skye, Sabrina Carpenter and KINGS! I would love to collaborate with any of them, of course!

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch, and which would you like to see that you haven’t as yet?

My favourite Broadway show is Lost Boys, which I just saw this past summer. I also really loved Wicked and SIX. I really want to see the musical DOLLY that is coming to Broadway soon.

Have you been given any advice over your time as a performer so far that has stuck with you, and what advice would you give a young singer hoping to write their own music?

The butterflies you feel in your stomach before you perform are the same ones you feel before you go on a roller coaster. Instead of telling yourself you’re nervous, tell yourself you are excited to perform.

At the end of the day, just follow your dream and do what you love because, whether you’re six or 90, the things you’re passionate about are what will make you happiest.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Theatre, songwriting, dancing and performing take up most of my time, but when I have free time, I love playing sports, having sleepovers with my grandma, and catching up with my sister.

Do you have any upcoming music/live performance/acting plans that you can tell us about, and what are you hoping the next year brings for you?

Right now, I am in rehearsals for School of Rock at Hillbarn Theatre, and I am playing Summer Hathaway. I am also working on more songs and plan to have an album come out next year!

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