Stephanie Julien

An outstanding performer, teacher and administrator, we met Stephanie for the first time in 2001 when she was an avid percussionist and a budding cellist at the Dessaix-Baptist Music School in Jacmel, Haiti. We invited her to participate in the very first Luthiers without Borders seminar held at the Holy Trinity Music Camp in 2008 and were delighted to see her dedication, persistence, and discipline.

Eventually, Stephanie spent 4 years in Cuba pursuing a degree in percussion and education. Since her return to her hometown of Jacmel she has become Director of the Institut National de Musique d’Haiti - Jacmel (INAMUH) - the Haitian version of the famed El Sistema program that focuses on using music as a tool for social change – as well as the Acting Director of the Dessaix-Baptiste Music School.

In this role, Stephanie has had notable success. A true diplomat, she has also ensured that students and faculty perform in regular recitals, that the ensembles all have their turn on stage, and that all of the youngsters have some background in music theory and appreciation. It’s very impressive!

For Stephanie, music is a special art that allows people from different countries, different cultures, to communicate and to understand each other. Through the work that you help us do, Stephanie says we are able to bring together young musicians from across the country, to create community and to help them believe in themselves - all through the practice of music.