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Julia Šćepanović is a third-generation musician, holding a Master’s degree in classical choir and orchestra conducting from the Music Faculty of the University of the Arts in Belgrade, Serbia.
She received awards in solfège during her basic music education and in piano during her studies at the Music Gymnasium S. Stanković, graduating with diplomas in piano and music theory.
She began her professional career as assistant conductor at the National Opera House of Belgrade, later teaching orchestra and choir subjects and serving as Chief Conductor of the Belgrade choir Branko Cvetković.
In 1992, she moved to Amsterdam, collaborating as a choir conductor and piano accompanist with numerous theatres, opera houses, and choirs, while expanding her expertise in classical, Slavic, and Balkan music.
In 1999–2000, she specialized in conducting symphonic orchestras in Florence, Italy, under
Maestro Carlo Maria Giulini, conducting the Gallileo Orchestra, the Italian Youth Orchestra, and the New Year’s Concert 2000 at Teatro Comunale in Florance.
Julia has delivered remarkable choral performances in the Netherlands, Serbia, Croatia, Italy, and beyond, with her choirs winning awards at competitions, most notably at the Alkmaar Choral Competition, in 1995, where two of her choirs both achieved the highest score in the competition’s history (summa cum laude).
She founded an independent music company producing concerts, tours, and projects including Balkan blaast, Music Battle, Er was eens een land, Selma, and many others. She provides voice casting from her Balkan and Eastern Europe network of musicians and composers, both alongside her conducting and project leadership, and sometimes independently for other companies.
Her coaching, workshops, and lectures on traditional Balkan and Slavic music have been presented at the University of Amsterdam, Music Conservatories in Utrecht and Zwolle, Buitenkunst, and other renowned music festivals.
As a guest artist and educator with ongoing engagements, she continues to develop her artistic vision, realizing performances, programs, and concerts.
Her upcoming projects include British choral music of the 20th and 21st centuries (Britain in De Bilt), a modern Balkan chamber opera, and a new workshop series in 2026, beginning with Venster op het Oosten (February) and Buitenkunst (May–August).