Catonsville Musician Performs With Multi-Platinum Recording Artist Josh Groban

For many aspiring musicians, their greatest dream is to perform onstage with their favorite artist in front of thousands of people. Often, this dream can be enhanced when that artist has fostered a significant personal and musical connection. Last week, one lifelong Catonsville resident experienced the opportunity of a lifetime when she was given the chance to fulfill this dream and perform with her favorite artist.

Multi-platinum recording artist, Josh Groban, has been Julia Tucker’s greatest musical role model and influence since she was 11 years old. She first learned about Groban when she heard him perform his hit song, “To Where You Are,” on the radio, and learned to sing in Italian and Spanish by listening to him perform in these languages. His performances motivated her to sing classical styles that she had never considered pursuing before discovering his music. Tucker listened to Groban in her free time and while preparing for her own performances. In addition to having admired his artistic talents from a young age, she also looked up to him for his reputation.

”Besides being an extremely talented singer, he is also a gifted actor, instrumentalist, and songwriter, which demonstrates his wide range of artistic ability. I not only respect him for being a terrific musician and performer, but also for presenting himself in a positive manner and being a strong supporter of arts education. This is very admirable,” Tucker said.

Tucker’s wish to sing “The Prayer” with Groban began while watching him perform the song during a 2003 television appearance. That performance inspired her, and she knew that she wanted to perform that particular song with him one day.

When Tucker received her ticket to the September 14 concert and saw that her seat was located close to the stage, she knew that she had to try to make her dream a reality. Knowing that singing “The Prayer” with audience members was something that Groban had done in recent years, she decided to approach him at an opportune time in the show. During the applause that followed the opening song of the second half, Tucker walked to the stage and handed Groban a note stating that that she was a singer and it was her dream to sing “The Prayer” with him. Granting a wish 12 years in the making, Groban shared the microphone and the two sang “The Prayer” together. Her greatest musical dream had become a reality! What an unbelievable thrill!

”When the song was finished and I returned to my seat, I was ecstatic and in disbelief! It didn’t start to sink in until after I had left the building, and even then, I still did not believe it. It was just an overwhelming experience to sing with an artist whose music has had such an impact on me,” said Tucker.

Tucker, a 2010 alum of Catonsville High School, graduated from Stevenson University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Communication, followed by a Master of Science in Business and Technology Management in 2015.

A six-year student of voice, Tucker also plays the guitar and piano. She has sung ”The Star-Spangled Banner” at the Catonsville Fourth of July Fireworks for the past eight years, and has also performed the song for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society “Walk MS Maryland”, the Believe in Tomorrow Children’s Foundation Port to Fort 6K, and the national tour of Advance AutoParts Monster Jam at the Verizon Center and Royal Farms Arena. During her years at Stevenson University, Tucker was employed singing the National Anthem for the University’s athletic events, totaling 161 performances. Additionally, Tucker’s rendition of the Anthem earned her a position as a Top 10 Finalist in the 2012 WBFF Fox 45 Baltimore “Star Spangled Sing-Off” competition, where she was chosen by online public vote.

During her high school years, Tucker was selected to perform with the Baltimore County Public Schools High School All-County Honors Chorus and Maryland All-State Junior Chorus. While at Stevenson, she was a featured soloist at many campus functions, including the University’s Convocations, Baccalaureate Services, and Commencement Exercises. She was also a four-year member of Stevenson’s chorus, in which she was awarded several solos.

Tucker hopes to continue to pursue her love of music through any opportunities that may arise in the future. She also aspires to have a career in marketing, communications, writing, or public relations.

More information about Tucker and videos of her performances can be found on her YouTube page at www.youtube.com/JuliaTucker100. A video of Tucker’s performance with Groban can be viewed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdNoYW8Am6c

Caption for photos: Julia Tucker performs “The Prayer” with Josh Groban during his September 14 concert at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. (Photos from YouTube)