Concertmaster

Julie Paradies was born into a musical family. Her first teacher was her mother Nancy Badger, a public school music teacher, who followed in the footsteps of her mother and father who both played the violin. Julie played in her public school orchestra and took private lessons from the age of seven with violinist Patricia Rudoff. Julie graduated from the same college as her mother and maternal grandmother—Oberlin College—where she studied with Richard Young and Marilyn McDonald. While at Oberlin, she played in the Oberlin Orchestra, the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, and the Baroque Ensemble. 

In the Hudson Valley of New York State, Julie taught Suzuki violin at the Dutchess Community College Music School and was active in many orchestras, including The Woodstock Chamber Orchestra, The Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, and Esopus Chamber Orchestra. 

Julie’s husband Jim Paradies plays the trumpet, and together they perform at weddings, churches and other events as part of the ParadiesEnsemble.com. Julie also plays as a solo violinist and with other string players. Julie teaches violin lessons to all ages—children and adults. 

Here in Florida, Julie is honored to have been appointed Concertmaster of the Suncoast Symphony from 2018-2020 under the baton of Ted DeCorso, and currently under the baton of John Bannon. Julie plays in the first violin section of The Tampa Bay Symphony under the direction of Mark Sforzini, and also with The Pinellas Community Orchestra under Art Hansuld, which gives free concerts at assisted living facilities. In the Spring of 2024 Julie was thrilled to play in American Stage’s outdoor production of Beauty And The Beast.