Born in 1951 on April 1st, Julian studied the Cello at the Royal College of Music, London, England. He was a full-time orchestral cellist in the Orchestra of the City of Trier, Germany from 1972-1974. Following qualification as a teacher in Manchester (UK) he worked for public sector music services in Bury, Lancs and in West Oxfordshire. Apart from cello teaching he taught the violin and conducted string ensemble classes.
Between 1977 and 1983 he was musical director for the Chipping Norton Amateur Operatic Society and worked voluntarily with the Witney Music Society organising the programme of professional chamber music concerts.
From 1983 - 88 he was Head of Strings for Wirral Borough Council. This was a busy post teaching cello, as well as running a Saturday Music Centre, with its numerous varied bands and orchestra, organising timetables, looking after curriculum development and setting up an internal examination scheme. He also instigated a teaching scheme of group lessons following on the practice in Tower Hamlets, London, of Sheila Nelson and the Paul Rolland method.
Moving to the Hampshire County Music service in 1988 as head of Lower Strings across the County, he also had posts as an Area Team Leader.
When the County was re-organised in 1995 he was able to expand his interests and joined the national charity, Making Music, as South and South East England Development Officer. This brought him in close contact with Choirs, Orchestras and Concert promoters to help them in developing their groups.
At the same time, 1995, he was able to finalise his tutor books and print the 18 ensemble pieces, which he had written for the string ensembles in Wirral.
Following public-sector retirement in 2008, opportunities to travel opened up. By camper van he visited Morocco, Norway, Russia and most of the EU countries. Hiring a van he has toured Japan and USA and in a car travelled through the desert from Dubai to Salalah, in Southern Oman. He has also visited Kerala and Southern India on a guided tour.
He continues with the travel today, as too, giving regular cello and piano concerts with his wife playing the piano. Under the title Palm Court Cello, they play music for people in care homes.
He has just completed (October 2025) three years supporting the work of the European String Teachers Association (UK). It was very rewarding, in more ways than just financially, to encourage young string players chamber music skills with the supporrt of the Joan Dixon Chamber Music Fund.
Julian is married to Ilfra. They celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary in April 2023. They have two children and three grandchildren.
