About Iuliia
Dr. Iuliia Akers began her musical career at age six. Her talent was noticed by a violin instructor and she was recruited to attend the prestigious Music School for talented children in Kherson, Ukraine. She received her early professional training in classical violin, orchestral studies, piano, acting, dance, and singing. By the age 15 she was admitted to Kherson Specialized Musical College, where she received a “Young Specialist Diploma” with concentration in Violin Performance. While in Ukraine, she has also developed a very natural powerful singing voice and has been performing as a lead vocalist in several Rock and Pop bands. In 2002 she became a winner of a Beauty Pageant Competition, where she performed an original composition for Violin and Voice.
In 2007 Dr. Akers was awarded a full scholarship to attend Southeastern Louisiana University and study with the renowned violin professor Dr. Yakov Voldman. She has also studied voice with the renowned voice professor and Metropolitan Alumni Dr. David Bernard. During her studies at Southeastern, she was offered a teaching position at the SLU Community Music School and was teaching youth music classes at Episcopal Grace Memorial Church. She has been a soloist for Southeastern Chamber Orchestra and served as a concert-mistress for several years under the direction of maestro Voldman. In addition to the orchestra, she became a lead vocalist for the Southeastern Jazz Band, various ensembles and combos, where performed lots of great Jazz Standards. She has been a featured violinist and violist for the CD “Acoustic Disdrometer” for the local band Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces. Dr. Akers became a first prize winner of the 11th Annual Southeastern Star Talent Competition 2014, where she performed an Original Composition for voice and piano “Carry Me Away”, dedicated to Ukraine. Dr. Akers performed a vocal solo “Maybe I Like it This Way” (“The Wild Party” Musical) at Southeastern Louisiana University’s Opera/Music Theatre Workshop GALA performance in celebration of the Department of Music and Dramatic Arts’ 75th anniversary. She received Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees with Honors.
In 2015 Dr. Akers pursued her education as a Doctoral Student at Louisiana State University, where she was awarded scholarship and tuition award. She studied violin performance in the studio of the renowned Professor Espen Lilleslåtten and has a minor in Jazz Studies from the studio of the renowned professor Dr. Willis Delony. She has been a part of LSU Symphony orchestra, String Quarters, Trios and various ensembles where she held a concert-mistress position numerous times. During her studies at LSU, Dr. Akers was teaching in local private music studios. In 2016 she was offered a Teaching Artist position with Kid’s Orchestra, where she served as mentor, music educator, and group lessons instructor. She has auditioned and became a lead vocalist for LSU Jazz Band Ensemble. While at LSU, Dr. Akers took voice lessons and developed her skills as a singer with the famous vocal coach Mr. Skip Harris. In February of 2016, LSU School of Music hosted the Symposium on Prokofiev and the Russian Tradition. Gabriel Prokofiev (Sergey Prokofiev’s grandson) presented his Concerto for the Bass Drum and Dr. Akers served as concert-mistress of LSU Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Carlos Riazuelo. In 2019 Dr. Akers earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts diploma, wrote Dissertation and presented a Lecture Recital on a topic “Ukrainian Folklore Influences in the Music of Miroslav Skoryk: Historical Background and Performance Guide to Selected Violin Works”.
During her studies, Dr. Akers won auditions and has been a core violinist with a number of symphony orchestras such as Baton Rouge Symphony, Acadiana Symphony, Gulf Coast Symphony, Lake Charles Symphony, and Rapides Symphony. She has further performed violin in productions with Natalie Cole, Johnny Mathis, Michael Bolton, Trisha Yearwood, Peter Cetera, Diana Ross, Ilya Kaler, Lang Lang, SooBeen Lee, Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Patti LaBelle, Kansas, Dianne Reeves, Gladys Knight, Chris Botti, Marc Broussard, Rocktopia, Paul Groves, Lisette Oropesa, Willis Delony, Gabriel Prokofiev, and many others. She has also been featured as a featured vocalist in performances by Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Jefferson Performing Arts Society, Southeastern Louisiana University Alumni Jazz Band, Southeastern Louisiana University Jazz Band, Louisiana State University Jazz Ensemble, and various local bands. Dr. Akers was a featured Vocalist at Bill Evans Festival, where she performed “My Funny Valentine” with Alumni SLU Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Akers played viola in a string quartet in one of the episodes of the Hollywood TV show production “Preacher”, filmed in New Orleans. Performed on Electric Viola with the House Beau Rivage Performer Dian Diaz on Cinderella Castle Stage in Disney World. She was a violinist for the soundtrack in the movie “Dog Man”, featuring Dick Russell the legendary Louisiana dog trainer. Dr. Akers had a privilege collaborating as a featured jazz vocalist with Dr. Richard Schwartz during his release of the Jazz Album “Song for My Mother,” featuring Ellis Marsalis that has received four Grammy award considerations.
Currently Dr. Akers resides in Madisonville, Louisiana with her husband Gregory Akers and their dog Charlie. She is actively involved in a number of musical projects and collaborations. She regularly performs with local orchestras, bands and pursuing her passion for music and production. In addition to her performance career, she is an advocate for music education. In 2019 Dr. Akers has launched her music studio – Encore Music Company. She teaches acoustic/electric violin, viola, voice, song composition stage presence, and beginner piano lessons privately on the North and Southshore areas. She has instructed students who have participated in various talented music programs, competitions, and auditions. She is also an active YouTuber and Video Production Specialist. She provides music for Weddings, Private Events, and Special Occasions. She holds a position as staff musician and alto section leader at the St Timothy on the Northshore. She is also an assistant of the Youth Choir Director and teaching youth classes and choir youth voices. Dr. Iuliia teaches part-time at the Music Academy in Mandeville.
DOCTOR
OF MUSIC ARTS
25+
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Stay Social with Iuliia
Stay social with Dr. Iuliia Akers’s Music account , the Encore Music Company, and Iuliia’s lifestyle profiles. See her latest performances, student updates and recital preps, and personal interests like vocal yoga, food and design, and more!
