About
The Juliani Ensemble, a highly acclaimed chamber music ensemble comprised of world class musicians, has delighted audiences with inventive, energetic chamber music concerts since its inception in 1999. As a performing partner at the Chicago Cultural Center in Preston Bradley Hall, the Juliani Ensemble performed to enthusiastic, appreciative audiences for over twenty years. They built a dedicated following and have garnered critical praise, including in the Chicago Tribune and other publications. Recent appearances include performances for “Concerts from the Library of Congress,” residencies at the University of Missouri, Epiphany Center for the Arts, Washington and Lee University, live radio features on 98.7 WFMT, and engagements both nationally and internationally.
The core of the ensemble is comprised primarily of members of the multi generational Graef family musicians. Many of their Grammy-winning ensemble members are affiliated with organizations such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and more. The Juliani Ensemble programming stays fresh and fluid as our concerts feature international players in addition to the family core.
The Juliani Ensemble’s mission is to spread the joy of music through performance, education, outreach and artistry of the highest level.
Leadership
Emily Graef
Founder
Emily Seaberry Graef is the founder and the flutist of the Juliani Ensemble. Beginning in 1999, Ms. Graef and the Juliani Ensemble were performing partners with The Chicago Cultural Center for 20 years, performing chamber music concerts throughout the year in historic Preston Bradley Hall. Ms. Graef has maintained a teaching studio for more than 30 years. Ms. Graef is a graduate of The University of Michigan School of Music where she won the Nelson Howenstein Award for outstanding flute performance. Emily did post graduate study at The University of Maryland and at The Mozarteum Academy in Salzburg, Austria where she studied with Helmut Zangerle. She is the former Principal Flute and soloist with The Rome Festival Orchestra and has performed as flutist with The Chicago Winds, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's MusicNOW series and on the nationally acclaimed and broadcast Dame Myra Hess series. Emily was the co-founder of The Galena Chamber Ensemble, a chamber music organization which performed in Galena, Illinois for 10 years in historic Turner Hall. She has been an artist in residence at the People's Music School and is a former faculty member of the Merit School of Music
Julian Graef
President and Co-Director
A violinist and violist, Julian Graef has been featured in major publications such as Strings Magazine and has been working consistently to bring new and interesting concert programs to national and international audiences. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, he has performed at the Library of Congress, performed with the Missouri Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and has conducted the Royal Martinu Philharmonic in Prague, CR. He enjoys a duo career with his sister, cellist Anita Graef, and tours regularly, performing around the world.
Anita Graef
Artistic Director
Described as a musician of “superb artistry” (Pasadena Now) who plays with “high energy and polish” (WQXR), cellist Anita Graef has earned recognition for her music making as an artist who is equally at home exploring traditional as well as contemporary works, along with a deep commitment to service, outreach and education. Notable appearances include features in Strings Magazine, as well as Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert series, and “Concerts from the Library of Congress.” She has performed on various radio networks, including WQXR, WFMT, WGTE, WUOL, WOSU, and NPR. Highlights from recent seasons include her New York debut with the Riverside Symphony, the Louisville Orchestra, Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra, with recital appearances at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg, Ojai’s Chamber on the Mountain, Kenyon College, the Nielsen Concert Series, and return appearances to “Live from WFMT” and “Temecula Presents,” among others.