Conversations with Julia Goodwin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julia Goodwin.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been singing and performing ever since I can remember. My dad studied piano and was a manufacturers representative for pro-audio gear growing up, so there was always music and musical instruments around our house. I quickly started to pick up piano, to study all of my favorite pop stars/Disney Channel favorites, became involved with theater and began writing my own songs around the age of 10.

When I was 15, I was encouraged by a friend to enter a competition ran by “The Great American Songbook Foundation” which introduced me to The Great American Songbook and the vast catalog of jazz standards. Through this, I ended up connecting with a friend and mentor of mine, Michael Feinstein. He took me under his wing and I was able to perform around the world in venues I’d always dreamt of including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, The Rainbow Room, etc…

Soon after, I was found on YouTube by a casting agent for “America’s Got Talent” and decided to fly out on a whim for an audition. I ended up being a quarter finalist and had the opportunity to sing at The Dolby Theatre and Radio City Music Hall. This encouraged me to dive even deeper into my own personal artistry. I became passionate about posting covers and original music online and would frequently post on “Vine” with my sister, Sara.

I graduated from Syracuse University in 2020, studying music business with a concentration in jazz/commercial music. After school, I decided it was time to move to Nashville in the hopes of meeting other musicians and with the goal of sharpening my songwriting skills.

My sound tends to revolve around R&B music, but has become a blend of my dad’s classic rock influence, my love for the pop divas, an avenue to satisfy my inner theater kid, all anchored by the jazz melodies and lyricism I have grown to love and adore over the years. A little mix of everything that is continuing to grow and evolve.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I was very fortunate to have encouraging family, friends and a supportive community in Syracuse, NY that cheered me on when it came to doing what I loved growing up. As I grew older, my biggest obstacle became learning to feel comfortable in my own skin and trusting my own intuition (the human condition). It can be difficult (and at times debilitating) to move in the face of fear and failure, but uncomfortability and uncertainty are things I continue to navigate on a daily basis. The more you do, the more you realize you’re capable of! Always keep going.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
On a day to day, I sing, perform, and write for myself and other artists or collectives! I’ve been working on crafting my own artist project for some time now and one of my favorite places to be is in the studio writing and arranging music. I tend to travel to perform as well and have been doing some symphony work, wedding ceremonies, and other various concerts/special events in and out of the Nashville area. I like to have my hand in many pots and in all sorts of genres, using my creativity to its full extent whenever possible.

How do you think about happiness?
What a loaded question! I think right now what I find makes me happy is getting the opportunity to connect with others, spread kindness in whatever ways I can, and using music as a tool to do that. There is nothing that excites me more than putting the puzzle pieces together of a song I’m writing or performing an arrangement I love on stage. Music was my first love and is what I hope to do forever.

Besides that, spending time with family, friends, traveling, being outside… good food!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_juliagoodwin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuliaGoodwinOfficial/
• Threads: https://www.threads.com/@_juliagoodwin
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@juliagoodwin5738
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@_juliagoodwin