ViolinJulia Pautz

Hailed as "a genuine virtuoso" by the Dallas Morning News, Julia Pautz has been a member of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra since 2010. A native of the tiny town of Blanco Texas, Ms. Pautz was a National Merit Scholar, and she earned a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from the Cleveland Institute of Music, a Master of Music degree with honors from the University of Southern California and a professional studies certificate from The Colburn School. She was a student of Linda Cerone and renowned violin pedagogue Robert Lipsett. Following her studies, Ms. Pautz joined the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. In Texas she served on faculty of the preparatory department at Texas Christian University and now maintains a private teaching studio near La Jolla.

An enthusiastic chamber musician, Ms. Pautz co-founded the non-profit Texas-based Hall Ensemble. She co-founded and serves as an artistic advisor for the chamber music series Blanco Performing Arts, based in her hometown. Locally she now performs with other SDSO members in the Artonic Quartet, with whom during the pandemic she started Backyard Beethoven, a series of concerts bringing chamber music to outdoor spaces in San Diego.

Julia Pautz now happily splits her time between making beautiful music with her colleagues and mothering her busy first grader Jackson who attends Bird Rock Elementary.

GETTING TO KNOW JULIA PAUTZ…

Q: What are your favorite three tunes or pieces on your iPod/Mp3 or CD collection? 

A: Anything with retro Motown-esk vocals paired with a funky, modern beat. Aloe Blacc's “Lift Me Up” or Nicole Atkins' “Slow Phaser” are currently on my heavy rotation... 

Q: What is your favorite travel destination? 

A: Hawaii!! Which is convenient since my husband is from the Aloha State and we were married on Maui. I basically like any place with fantastic snorkeling... 

Q: What good book have you read most recently? 

A: Well my Nook is always in my purse. Currently I'm reading my way through Alexander McCall Smith's “44 Scotland Street” series. 

Q: What is your choice for dining in San Diego? 

A: Blue Fin sushi bar in Encinitas - hands down. But Bo Beau in Ocean Beach is great!! 

Q: Where might you be found on a Saturday night if you’re not performing with the Orchestra? 

A: Cooking something fabulous, or at the movies, or if we have the whole weekend free and it's the right time of year maybe skiing!! 

Q: The non-musical accomplishment you are most proud of is…?

A: The Olympic distance triathlon I completed a few years ago: A one mile swim + 24 miles on the bike + six miles running at the end. So very, very proud of myself.