Julie Popplewell

Julie Popplewell serves as Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Music at Elmhurst University, maintaining an active career as both performer and educator in the Chicago area.

Her educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Music in Oboe Performance from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (where she won the Smith Music Competition and earned full tuition scholarship)
• Post-graduate work at DePaul University

Specializing in oboe performance and pedagogy, she has studied with renowned oboists including Dr. Nancy Ambrose King, Daniel Stolper, Scott Hostetler, Grover Schiltz, Deb Stevenson, Jelena Dirks, Lora Schaefer, Gordon Hunt, and Richard Killmer. Her distinctive teaching methodology emphasizes reed-making expertise, producing students who achieve youth symphony positions, collegiate scholarships, and professional careers.

Her professional accolades include:

• Smith Music Competition winner
• ILMEA District 9 adjudicator since 2007
• Guest artist at Illinois Summer Youth Music Pre-College Camp since 2018

As a performer, she maintains active engagements with Chicago Modern Orchestra Project, Northbrook Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Chamber Orchestra, Chicago Camerata, Bel Sonore Chamber Ensemble, and Duo Voce. She directs a substantial oboe studio of 50+ students across western suburbs institutions.