Member Detail

Julie performs live at Pleasant Valley Brewing

Diagnosed with diabetes in the 1990's, Julie Waters discovered that a nasty side effect is brittle fingernails which break easily, making it difficult to maintain the necessary nail strength to play serious classical guitar. This left her with a choice: adapt or give up the guitar. Giving up was not an option; she picked up a flatpick and redeveloped her right hand technique from scratch. Her music is therefore a celebration of change, creativity, light, life and hope.

Julie has been playing guitar for close to two decades. During this time, she's studied classical, jazz, blues, latin, progressive acoustic and flamenco guitar. Additionally, she is proficient in banjo, mountain dulcimer, bass, tiple and a range of percussion instruments. This wide range of influences has colored her own playing style, which remains profoundly original and inventive.

Julie is a folk artist in the truest tradition, weaving stories, motion and rhythm, creating lyrical poetry through the strings of her guitar. This is more than simply a creative approach to music. This is performance which turns on a dime, first evoking ancient modal melodies, and then suddenly sliding into a rock and roll beat which takes you straight into the 21st century.

Julie hosts a monthly song circle/open mic. She is also a teacher, a licensed transporter of injured birds, an active member of the Brattleboro Area Peace and Justice Group, an avid photographer, a web designer and a creator of logic, word and math puzzles. Her third CD, History Lessons is now available exclusively via http://juliewaters.com/.

She has yet to decide what to do when she grows up.