Despite her petite frame, Julia Tai commands the stage as music director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra.
During each performance, whether at the Dennison Theatre or Caras Park, Julia swirls her black hair to the rhythm, her baton dancing in the air, as she leads talented musicians through compositions that span centuries from the masters of Beethoven’s era to contemporary composers such as Vivian Fung and Bryan Kosters, a professor at the University of Montana.
Julia came to Missoula in 2020 when she was chosen to lead the symphony following an international search for a new conductor. Her entire life has been filled with music and melody. Her musically gifted parents instilled this love in Julia by signing her up for violin lessons when she was just four years old. Originally from Taiwan, she grew up attending music school, singing in choirs, and studying all forms of music. She currently splits her time between Missoula and Seattle where she is also the conductor and co-artistic director of the Seattle Modern Orchestra.
I sat down with Julia to talk about the part she plays with the Missoula Symphony.
What would you say makes you an effective conductor?
Conducting is an interesting profession because you have to know the ins and outs of the orchestra and a little about how all instruments are played. But I think the most important training for a conductor is working with people. Not to stereotype, but I feel like women are more flexible and good at multitasking, which is a good thing when you have to work with a hundred people and keep tabs on what each person is doing. All my training has prepared me to know music on a deep level, perform with people, and bring everyone together.
What fresh ideas or new programs have you brought to the symphony?
I want to include all types of music from the old masterworks to brand new compositions as well as underrepresented composers like women and people of color. Symphonic music may be hundreds of years old, but there are always new influences coming in. I also love to make connections with new audiences by having concerts at the public library or the Kettlehouse Amphitheater. I want people to see the Missoula symphony as everyone’s symphony.
What do you enjoy about being a part of Missoula’s music scene?
People in Missoula are very open-minded and that has been a joy. I love to explore all types of music, so to have the audience share that appetite for a variety of music is very satisfying.
What instrument would you say most matches your personality?
I love that question because I do feel every instrument has a different personality. I love the violin for its lyrical quality. But I would say the piano because it’s the most versatile and has the widest range. I like the ability to do be able to do everything.
"I feel like women are more flexible and good at multitasking, which is a good thing when you have to work with a hundred people and keep tabs on what each person is doing."