Private and group instruction
Suzuki Violin & Viola
MIC Virtuoso Strings
Julie Bickel has been a member of the Music Institute’s Suzuki violin and viola faculty and director of Virtuoso Strings since September 2021. She earned bachelor of music and bachelor of arts degrees at University of Notre Dame and a master of music degree and professional certification at Northern Illinois University. She has participated in the Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies at the Juilliard School of Music every year since 2001. She received the Music Educator of the Year Award from the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra in 2013–14. She is a member of Suzuki Association of the Americas.
MM, Northern Illinois University PC, Northern Illinois University BA, University of Notre Dame BS, University of Notre Dame
Participant, Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies, Juilliard School of Music, 2001 – 2021
Music Educator of the Year Award, Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, 2013 – 2014
My teaching philosophies are based on the Suzuki Method and my Christian faith.
Suzuki Association of the Americas
"I believe that serving others is one of the most fundamental gifts we can give. I serve through quilting for Lutheran World Relief, Feed My Starving Children, Together We Rise, and PADS."
"I believe that studying music provides an inner voice that can help us strive to be better human beings. Studying music encourages discipline in time management and practice; responsibility to teachers, parents, and peers; respect for the opinions of others; and empathy for our audience and friends."
"What I love most about playing the violin is that each piece takes me to a time and place both historically as well as personally. Each piece has a story to tell that is unique to the moment and keeps me living in the present while reflecting on my past memories with that composition."
Prior to teaching at MIC, I taught for 21 years at Wheaton College.
"Your zeal for music-making and for sharing it with others is a wonderful gift and I am deeply grateful that you have spent all of these years with Wheaton College."
- Dean Michael Wilder, Wheaton College Conservatory of Music