Julija Okruško - 2002 graduate of the National M. K. Čiurlionis School of Arts, violin specialty (Beata Marija Vasiliauskaitė-Šmidtiene's class) - is a Lithuanian
violinist and composer, who has spent most of her adult life in the USA. She studied at the Lithuanian Academy of Music in the class of professor Undine Jagėlaitė. She received her Master's degree and qualified as a violin artist at
Boston University under the guidance of Professor Danuta Pomerancaite-Mazurkevich.
While still at school, Julija won prizes in four international competitions.
A bright and artistic student, she was able to expressively convey the works she performed, to inspire them with the spirit of
music. She was invited to play in the youth chamber orchestra Kremerata
Baltica. With great energy and passionate devotion to the violin, she pursued excellence during her studies -
participated in masterclasses, gave concerts with the Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, Lithuanian Symphony Orchestra, Lithuanian Chamber Orchestra, and performed solo at festivals. A serious Master's degree at Boston University gave the talented violinist the Grand Prix at the J. S. Bach International Competition and concerts with the Clafin Hill Symphony Orchestra. After graduation she remained in the USA, where she spent 16 years of her life. Each year Julia's activities have grown and become more active. Her
professionalism and intellect, energy and personal character have helped her to form the
New England String Quartet. Okrushko became the founder, inspiration and first violinist of this ensemble. The ensemble was conceived to perform contemporary academic music.
The quartet has performed extensively in Boston and throughout the New England region, including at the famous Carnegie Hall. The violinist has invested a great deal of time and creative energy in the creation of the TV show "Intermezzo". This TV programme was dedicated to chamber music: it gave the opportunity to students, renowned masters and orchestras to give concerts, presented new works and broadcast interviews with composers. Together with her quartet partners, Julija has recorded 7 CDs of contemporary academic chamber music. Curiosity and a thirst for professional knowledge have motivated Julia to take a constant interest in the pedagogy of
Camera music
and to share her experience - she has taught students, given lectures, and
conducted seminars.
The musician's lifetime concert itineraries have taken her through Estonia, Russia, Latvia, Denmark,
the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Turkey, and the USA.
Yulia Okrushko herself has called neoclassical music her main activity. For about 10 years she tried her hand at composing music, creating her own music, an original style of music called "Fantasy", which she called it. These pieces combine natural and synthetic instruments, orchestra, choir.
Atlika herself plays solo violin in individual episodes. She has collaborated with film and
visual arts producers, written music for commercials, soundtracks for ballets, concerts and
performances. Her music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles in the USA. Okrushko released a CD of her work, Legends: fantasy violin, for which she was nominated in three categories at the Hollywood Media Awards.
Julia Okrushko was a broad spectrum artist - creative, original, and able to breathe
life into every activity she touched. The vast and significant works produced during her 37 years of life show not only her great natural abilities, but also the titanic diligence of a young musician.
