Sinfonia Gulf Coast Prize for Prestigious New York City-based Young Concert Artists Auditions

Music Director Demetrius Fuller selects Soprano Julia Bullock to debut with Sinfonia in upcoming season

With education at the forefront of the organization's mission, Sinfonia Gulf Coast and Music Director Demetrius Fuller were invited to take part in the prestigious 2012 Young Concert Artists Auditions in New York City this past November.

Susan Wadsworth founded Young Concert Artists (YCA) in 1961 as a professional non-profit organization dedicated to discovering and launching the careers of exceptional, but unknown, young musicians from all over the world. Alumni include returning Sinfonia guest artist Caroline Goulding, violinists Pinchas Zukerman and Chee-Yun, and pianists Murray Perahia, Emanuel Ax, Christopher O'Riley, and Jeremy Denk.

"The invitation for Sinfonia to take part in this incredible process is a chance of a lifetime opportunity”, stated Sinfonia Music Director Demetrius Fuller. "While the judges and audience witnessed incredible talent the entire day, it was soprano Julia Bullock that instantly grabbed my attention. From the intensity of her first note, I knew that the Sinfonia Gulf Coast Prize was hers."

Soprano Julia Bullock with Sinfonia Music Director Demetrius Fuller

"Julia Bullock, a striking soprano," acclaimed for her "ravishingly visceral accounts," (The New York Times) has sung in many of the premiere concert halls and music festivals across the United States and abroad. This past season she debuted in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully, and Merkin Concert Hall, with international debuts throughout Latin America and Mainland China. Currently attending The Juilliard School, Bullock is a graduate of Bard College's Graduate Vocal Arts Program.

Ms. Bullock will debut with Sinfonia Gulf Coast during the 2013-2014 seasons.

About Sinfonia Gulf Coast:
 Sinfonia Gulf Coast was founded in 2005 on Florida's Northwest Gulf Coast with the mission of redefining the symphony experience. Under the guidance of Music Director and Founder Demetrius Fuller, 35, and a dedicated board of directors, the nonprofit orchestra has offered six seasons of innovative musical programming, designed to entertain, educate and inspire the Emerald Coast community. Notable guest artists have included Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, Grammy Award-winner Roberta Flack, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Chris Brubeck, the Sao Paulo String Quartet, Manhattan Piano Trio, Grammy-nominated violinist Caroline Goulding, Grammy-Award winners John Pizzarelli, Howard Levy, the Parker Quartet and iconic big band Pink Martini. Since its founding, Sinfonia Gulf Coast has presented more than 250 concerts and events, has collaborated with numerous nonprofits and businesses throughout the community and has impacted more than 35,000 children in Okaloosa and Walton Counties through its Sinfonia Guest Artists in the Schools program and music education outreach initiatives. For more information on Sinfonia Gulf Coast, please visit www.SinfoniaGulfCoast.org, call (850) 269-7229 or e-mail info@sinfoniagulfcoast.org.