Julie Bonk....

Julie Bonk was a native of Michigan and studied piano and music from the age of four. Her mother, who was also an accomplished musician and pianist, demanded long hours of practice which resulted in a closet full of awards from winning piano competitions since childhood. Julie picked up her love for Jazz while attending Interlochen Academy of the Arts where she finished High School. While at Interlochen, she studied under numerous jazz greats and before graduation had already developed into a well known performer throughout the Midwest. She furthered her Jazz studies at The University of North Texas where she received her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Jazz Studies and performed for the 1 o'clock Jazz Band. Julie has always been in high demand and has performed with such notables as Bob Hope, Fred Raulston, Dave Sporney, John Lindenau, Buggs Henderson, The Supremes,, The Drifters, The Platters, Sherm Mitchell, Z.Z. Hill, Vernon Garrett, Chris Calloway, Drew Phelps, Gary Baronne, Paul Geurerre, James Clay, Freddie Jones, Marshall Ivory, Henry (The Skipper) Franklin, Larry Randall, Sunship, and The Dallas Jazz Orchestra.

She has toured with The Shirelles, The Coasters, The Penguins, and Little Eva. She limited her performing career after the birth of her daughter, Destiny, to avoid lengthy periods away from home and has concentrated on building her reputation in the Dallas/Ft Worth market where she performs regularly at private parties, weddings, and occasional concerts. Julie also has spent many years teaching others, and has had the pleasure of working with many budding talents over twenty-plus years in music education. Some notable students of Julie's are Norah Jones, Amy Abbott (American Chills), Mark Love and Matt Mixa. Julie's performance expertise remains in high demand among Dallas' high society for private parties and weddings, and she fills in a full schedule with occasional appearances at local clubs and restaurants.

Education
University of North Texas – Denton, Texas
Bachelor Degree – Music, 1984 – Emphasis: Jazz performance, Theory
Interlochen Arts Academy – Interlochen, MI
Interlochen National Music Camp – 8 summers 1968-75

Recordings
“Gonna Fly Now” – (Reef Petroleum Big Band) – 1979
“North Texas State Jazz Singers” – 1984
“Fred Raulston: - (Fred Raulston) – 1986
“Raunchy” – (Sally Moore) – 1986
“Sandra Kaye with Julie Bonk” – 1992
“Postcards From You” – (Tony Hakim) – 1992
“Linda Renfro” – (Linda Renfro) - 1998

Additional
Co-author, “RIP” – a children’s musical which received 2nd place award in the 1982
Community Theater of Michigan playwright contest
Musical Director and arranger – The Terry & Hattie Fanser Show – Sally Moore,
Molly Whatley, Sandra Kaye, and other Dallas entertainers. Various additional singers' demo recordings.
Rehearsal Pianist – The Hartford Ballet – 1976

Organizations
American Federation of Musicians – Local 72, Ft Worth, TX – Active member
Dallas Jazz Society – Active member
Ft. Worth Jazz Society – Active member