Julia is a native Minnesotan whose dance training began at Minnesota Dance Theatre School, where she later performed with the Minnesota Dance Theatre company. Her professional career also includes performances with South Carolina Ballet, Ballet San Antonio, and Ballet Michigan.

After returning to Minnesota, Julia joined Ballet of the Dolls, performing in numerous original works by the company's founder and Artistic Director, Myron Johnson. Expanding her artistic pursuits beyond dance, she also developed a successful acting career, appearing on the Jungle Theater stage in productions of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Glass Menagerie, and Bus Stop. Additional performance credits include Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, Minnesota Opera, Loring Theatre, Dancing People Company, and Zhauna Franks' Dream Channel.

In recognition of her artistry, Julia was awarded a prestigious McKnight Fellowship for Dancers in 2004.

Teaching has been a significant part of Julia’s career since her early years at Minnesota Dance Theatre. She has taught at Summit School of Dance, Larkin Dance Studio, Zenon Dance School, Concordia University–St. Paul, and Reif Dance in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. While serving as a ballet instructor at Concordia University and the Reif Center, she also choreographed several student productions.

Julia earned her STOTT PILATES® certification in Mat and Reformer training in 2010 and has since taught Pilates at a variety of fitness studios throughout the Twin Cities.