Julie Blackstock

Director of Orchestras, Liberty High School

 

"The particular care and love that was shown to me by my professors at Baylor influences me greatly as an educator. I directly attribute any professional success I have had as an educator to my string professors who went above and beyond to help me find that ever-important first job. I wouldn't be here without them."

Julie Blackstock (BME - 1998) is currently in her 19th year of teaching, her third year as the Director of Orchestras at Liberty High School in the Frisco Independent School District. Prior to teaching at Liberty, Julie taught in the Carrollton/Farmers Branch Independent School District for sixteen years, twelve of those at Creekview High School. Under her direction, the orchestras at Creekview consistently received top ratings in UIL contests and at festivals around the country and were twice named first runner-up in the TMEA Honor Full Orchestra Competitions. During her first year at Liberty, the Camerata Orchestra placed 5th in the finals for the TMEA Honor String Orchestra Competition and the Liberty Symphony Orchestra was named first runner-up in the TMEA Honor Full Orchestra Competition. The symphony orchestra was also invited to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago in December 2015. This past fall, the Camerata Orchestra placed 3rd in the TMEA Honor String Orchestra Competition.

Julie has also been a frequent adjudicator and clinician for UIL, Solo/Ensemble contests, festivals, and All-Region Orchestras around the country. During the summers, she regularly works at the Baylor University High School Orchestra Camp as a cello section leader and directs one of the chamber orchestras.

Formerly the Region 24 Orchestra Division Chair, Julie is proud of her memberships in the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Mu Omicron, and is honored to be a member of Who's Who Among American High School Teachers. She also served on the University Interscholastic League's Prescribed Music List committee which chooses selections to be included on the PML for UIL contest performances.