We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Julia Sunay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Julia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

From a young age, I was always interested in theatre and music. Growing up in Calgary, Alberta provided many opportunities to support both community and professional regional theatre. Fortunately, many Broadway tours also came thru the city and I remember being completely mesmerized and inspired by the productions. The caliber of talent, orchestrations, attention to detail in set design and costumes, and the overall production quality left a profound impression on me. I knew I had to make theatre my livelihood.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Julia Sunay and I am a Music Director, Pianist and Vocal Coach. I currently serve as the associate Music Director for the first U.S. Broadway national tour of Beetlejuice the Musical, but I have worked in professional theatre for the past 15 years. I’ve had the pleasure of working with several amazing creative teams on various shows such as Jersey Boys and An Officer And A Gentleman. My career in theatre has enabled me to travel extensively to destinations worldwide, including Antartica, South America, Australia and Alaska.

As a Music Director, my job is to oversee all of the musical aspects of a music theatre production. We work closely with the music supervisor and creative team to develop the artistic direction of a show. I help rehearse actors and musicians, lead vocal sessions, manage our team of understudies and often play piano and conduct the show at the same time. One of the most fulfilling things about working on a musical is the joy of collaborating with so many different departments. Every person’s involvement is crucial and it really does take a village of people to make a show come alive, spanning from the cast and orchestra to stage management, crew, and company management. It is the true epitome of teamwork!!

I also love telling stories! I’ve always been captivated by how music supports the narrative in theatre, whether it’s enhancing the on-stage performances or invoking an emotional response from the audience. It is my responsibility as a conductor to ensure the story is always clear and that the music complements what’s happening on stage.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The ability to inspire others to do what they love. It is a great privilege to be able to work in theatre full time and I feel incredibly fortunate to work in such a creative industry with people who are immensely talented. I feel blessed that I was able to turn my passion for the piano and music into a fulfilling career path and I hope that young aspiring music directors feel compelled to do the same. It takes a lot of work to hone your craft but I truly believe that anything is possible thru daily practice, unwavering dedication and the ability to connect with others. The ability to share stories with my cast and musicians and patrons all over the country is such a gift.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

As with any career, a life in the arts requires a huge amount of commitment and hard work. I often hear non-creatives refer to artists as “pursuing a hobby”. Much of what we do as musicians requires years of training, experience, relentless practice, and deliberate perseverance. Although the work is very fulfilling and enriching, it still demands a level of personal sacrifice and tenacity. A patron may think we only work 3 hours a day performing the show, but we often have several rehearsals throughout the week and many other responsibilities related to the production. In regards to touring, it is indeed a great honour to see so many eclectic cities and uniques places. However, many of us often miss out on significant family events such as weddings and milestone celebrations. Living and working in the arts may not follow conventional norms, yet it demands a significant amount of dedication, while also being incredibly gratifying.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.juliasunay.com
• Instagram: @julia_sunay
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JuliaSunay
• Other: https://maestramusic.org/profile/julia-sunay/