Drumming Up A Story On Julie!

Born and raised San Jose you may know Julie as she has been around since, well, the beginning!  She is also a wonderful drumming instructor and valued member of our equipe.

This original member of labarre transformed into one of our terrific instructors but before we get to the present day, let’s jump into the time machine and get to know Julie and her journey.

This Northern Californian decided to head to UC Santa Barbara for school as she received a bachelor’s degree in communications.  After school, Julie headed to New York for a change of scenery and fell in love with the city that never sleeps.

“I worked at an investment bank and waited tables… I was doing the New York thing.” Julie met her husband, Michael, who also in the finance and banking world.  He was of great support to her as she realized there was much more that she wanted to accomplish and that calling quickly had her making a career change.  After receiving her master’s degree in education, Julie began to chart the next move while teaching elementary school in Brooklyn.After a few years, Julie and Michael decided to think long term and looked to start a family.  The first step in that plan would begin with a move back to a familiar place. 

Relocating to San Jose, Julie discovered labarre in the Summer of 2017… for those who have been around, we refer to those as the “underground days”!

“I had tried a lot of exercise programs, but none of them ever stuck. That was until I tried labarre!”  Julie was drawn to the fact that it fit well with her dance background and ballet training, something she had done for the greater part of her life.  The unique classes at labarre were a wonderful addition to her routine, but it was the drumming format that captured Julie’s heart. “The fun of the musicality and rhythmic feel was amazing, and it really fit well. I love tap dancing and I feel like when I am drumming, I am tap dancing with my sticks!”

The change from student to teacher was about to happen.  Never having taught a fitness class, Julie’s love of labarre would catapult her to the front of the class.

“The transition from student to instructor was challenging, but it was Lisa [Alberino, Founder] who said ‘I know you can do it and I believe in you!’  I wondered if I should really be instructing, but after making the leap I was thrilled.  I think my next step will be teaching barre”. 

Julie is a busy mom of three and she also runs a non-profit Montessori school, so her time is limited but she gets her reps in whether she is instructing or enjoying the fruits of being a part of the labarre equipe.  An important step in keeping her mind, body and spirit balanced in such challenging times.

“What I have learned from the lessons of 2020, is that the ability to adapt to technology has really been amazing but not as amazing as the ability to connect with people.” Julie continues “As isolating as this all has been, it has been hugely connecting at the same time.”

2020 has affected all of us and when some semblance of normalcy returns, that means Julie and her family will hit the road once again. “We love to travel! We love Tahoe and have spent quite a lot of time skiing and snowboarding, but we adore the beach too, specifically Cabo.  We go there as a family every year.”

Julie has taken her drumming class outdoors and is set to pull out her sticks and get people moving once again! “I tell my friends, come to my class. First of all, it’s the warmest most welcoming place, there’s absolutely no judgement.  When we are drumming, it’s just a release, you can get a workout and rock out.  Plain and simple.”

Get rocking with Julie as she takes to the great outdoors this week!  Sign up HERE