Life & Work with Julie Zhu of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Zhu.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been surrounded by music. As a child, I learned traditional Chinese instruments from my grandfather, played tenor horn in elementary school, studied classical piano for three years during middle school, and began singing in high school choir. It wasn’t until college, when I started listening to jazz, that something clicked. I was captivated by its freedom, its swing, and the way it invited individuality.

I began college as a music major and earned an A.A. in music. However, during my sophomore year, the general education courses sparked a deep curiosity about the nature of the universe, particularly physics, chemistry, and biology. Since math had always been my favorite subject growing up, a professor encouraged me to explore chemical and biomolecular engineering. In my third year, I transferred into engineering, added a second major in applied mathematics, and soon began research that led to a co-authored publication and, eventually, a Ph.D. offer from UCLA.

I took three gap years to work and explore life outside of academia. During that time, I stumbled into a jazz band in Palm Springs and asked to sit in. That experience led me to jam sessions in San Diego, and eventually to New York City, where I stayed for a year to study and absorb the jazz scene. I’ve since moved back to LA to pursue my PhD at UCLA, but music has never left me.

Today, I’m active as a jazz vocalist, performing in New York and LA, and self-teaching upright bass and guitar as a hobby. I’ve shared the stage with jazz greats like Joe Farnsworth, Roy McCurdy, Benny Benack III, and Emmet Cohen. In 2023, I recorded at the iconic Rudy Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey with Joe Farnsworth, and in 2025, I collaborated with drummer and songwriter Kyle Poole on a Splice project recorded at Sound Factory in Hollywood. I also host a bi-monthly Friday night jam session at Steep LA in Chinatown, creating space for musicians to connect and grow together.

For me, science and music are not opposites. They are complementary ways of understanding the world. Whether it’s writing a paper or singing a ballad, I approach both with curiosity, discipline, and heart. I hope my story encourages others to embrace every part of who they are, even if their passions don’t fit neatly in one box.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, especially as a first-generation college student. Without a clear roadmap, I had to stumble my way through college, constantly figuring out everything from choosing classes to navigating financial pressures. I’m truly grateful for my professors and mentors who believed in me, offered guidance, and encouraged me to explore engineering and research.

Teaching myself jazz without formal schooling in the genre was another significant challenge. I relied heavily on jam sessions, live performances, and conversations with other musicians to learn. The jazz community welcomed me warmly, provided endless support, and made me feel at home. Their generosity and kindness have been invaluable on this journey.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As a jazz vocalist, I specialize in interpreting timeless standards with emotional depth and clarity, while blending influences from my Chinese heritage, classical background, and scientific training. I perform regularly in Los Angeles and New York, and I’m passionate about creating intimate, improvisation-driven experiences, whether on stage or through community jams.

One of the things I’m most proud of is recording at the iconic Rudy Van Gelder Studio with Joe Farnsworth, and later collaborating with Kyle Poole at Sound Factory in Hollywood for a Splice project. I’m currently preparing to release my Duke Ellington EP Sophisticated Lady, which reimagines seven of his classics and features collaborations with incredible musicians from both coasts.

On the songwriting side, I’ve also begun exploring my voice through original Chinese R&B music. Writing lyrics for the first time in my native language was both deeply personal and creatively freeing. It’s been a beautiful challenge to find a modern sound that bridges cultural roots with emotional honesty.

I also host a jam session at Steep LA in Chinatown that has been running for a year now. It began as a monthly gathering and recently expanded to twice a month due to overwhelming community support. Curating that space and watching it grow has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.

What sets me apart is my dual path as a Ph.D. candidate in engineering at UCLA and a self-taught jazz artist. I never formally studied jazz—I learned through jam sessions, recordings, and the generosity of the community. That blend of discipline and spontaneity, structure and soul, defines everything I do.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a quiet and curious child. I tended to be more introverted, often observing and absorbing rather than speaking first. I loved learning, especially anything that helped me understand patterns or express emotions, and math and music quickly became my favorite subjects.

Some of my most magical memories come from spending time in my grandparents’ village, 莲塘. Life there felt simple and full of wonder. My grandfather introduced me to traditional Chinese instruments like the erhu and flute, and I remember how special it felt to create music surrounded by nature and family. It gave me an early sense of beauty and depth that still shapes how I approach art and life today.

Whether I was solving math problems or practicing piano, I found joy in the quiet process of discovery. That same curiosity and discipline have stayed with me. Now, through research and music, I continue to learn, observe, and create in ways that feel deeply connected to those early years.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://juliemuzic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliemuzic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliemuzic
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/li-zhu/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@juliemuzic
• Other: https://linktr.ee/juliemuzic

Image Credits
Craig Cochrane
gallery.craigallynphoto.com
https://www.instagram.com/craigallynphoto/

Darren Huang
https://www.instagram.com/darren_huang_/