Julie Cook

Julie Cook’s music journey has included studying and playing the piano for the major part of her life. She took private instruction at the Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford as well as studying with several freelance teachers. Since 1983, her studio, Julie’s Piano Workshop, in Newtown and Woodbury, Connecticut, has been the main vehicle through which she has shared her love of music.

Since completing Music for People’s Leadership Program, she has incorporated improvisation techniques into her private teaching with joyful results. She believes that teaching note-reading and good technique is wholly compatible with improvising.

Julie Cook extends the invitation to her piano students and workshop participants to enter a playroom of sounds.  It is her special joy to listen for clues that lead naturally to the perfect activity needed in the moment.  With her gentle encouragement, trust leads to participation, greater risk-taking, and the exhilaration of creating what once seemed impossible.  A published poet and author, she enjoys combining improvisation with music appreciation, poetry, relaxation techniques — and other delightful subjects.