Jay Julio

Jay Julio, viola (Uniondale, NY), took his first private lesson at Mannes Prep at the age of fourteen, and since then has been a national prizewinner in competitions held by the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Music Teachers National Association, has been recipient of fellowships from the Manchester, Lake Tahoe, Texas, and National Music Festivals, and has been profiled and featured on Interlochen Public Radio and SiriusXM. As the violist of the Madkoi Quartet, he has performed extensively in collaborations with composers, singer-songwriters, and Italian fashion magazine Uomo Moderno in performances for the Italian royal family, AIDS charity (RED), and more. Jay studies with Karen Ritscher at the Manhattan School of Music on full scholarship, having graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy under Renee Skerik at sixteen with its highest musical honor, the Young Artist Award. His chamber music studies include mentorship from members of the Juilliard and American string quartets. Jay plays on a Douglas Cox viola, graciously on loan from the Virtu Foundation, and a bow borrowed from the American Viola Society. He is honored to be part of the YoungArts family.