NEW ARTIST JULIE ELIAS TAPPED AS ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE AT PROMINENT DALLAS AREA CHURCH
NASHVILLE, Tenn.(February 4, 2013) - New artist Julie Elias has been tapped as Artist-in-Residence at White's Chapel United Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. During her one-year tenure, Elias will serve as a worship leader and soloist for the church, one of the 10 largest Methodist churches in the nation, with an average attendance of 3,400 on Sundays.
"White's Chapel United Methodist Church is excited about the versatility, heart, and experience Julie brings to their worship team and is looking forward to a fabulous year together," says Tim Georgeff, Director of Creative Arts at White's Chapel United Methodist Church.
The worship staff at White's Chapel first saw Elias leading worship at the Experience Conference in Orlando, Fla., during the fall of 2012. When the staff learned that the singer/songwriter had recently moved into the Dallas area and was looking for a church to call home, they invited her to be a guest soloist and lead worship on several occasions, according to Georgeff.
This past Christmas Eve, Elias, who shared songs from her Christmas CD, Holy Night, was among the performers during services that drew more than 10,000 in front of the memorial fountain of the church.
"I am so excited to be formally involved with White's Chapel," Elias says. "Since moving to Texas, I have found something very special about the staff, musicians and congregation at this church. They are truly a compassionate church body and exhibit unconditional love. These are both traits I want in my life and also that I hope to share with those around me. I am beyond excited and encouraged by this union."
Elias will continue to tour and perform in support of her November 2012 debut CD release, A Wild Rose, while serving as Artist-in-Residence at White's Chapel.
For more information about Elias and A Wild Rose, visit julieeliasmusic.com, or follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/julieeliasmusic) or Twitter (@julieeliasmusic).
About Julie Elias:
After making the networking rounds in Hollywood, Elias was well on her way to becoming an up-and-coming actress thanks to various extra roles on Grey's Anatomy (where she was a regular for two seasons), CSI: New York, Bones, Flash Forward, Community, Parks and Recreation, Weeds andDexter. She also appeared in several films as an extra, including Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr., and Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
After making the networking rounds in Hollywood, Elias was well on her way to becoming an up-and-coming actress thanks to various extra roles on Grey's Anatomy (where she was a regular for two seasons), CSI: New York, Bones, Flash Forward, Community, Parks and Recreation, Weeds andDexter. She also appeared in several films as an extra, including Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr., and Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
A Christmas trip to her hometown in 2010 caused Elias to reexamine her career options. During the holiday, she performed in her home church's praise and worship band and sang in some local concerts.
"It took a seemingly routine Christmas concert that year for me to realize what I've been called to do. In fact, Christmas of that year was the most clear-cut, obvious message I've ever received from God, period! It was as if He said 'I am spelling it out for you, in bold caps: PAY ATTENTION,'" Elias says.
At the beginning of 2011, Elias began making regular pilgrimages to Nashville to collaborate with Music City's top songwriters and producers. The trips resulted in her national debut CD, A Wild Rose, which features 10 fresh tunes that chronicle her journey thus far.
As Elias gears up to make her mark on the modern day music scene with her engaging songwriting style and fresh pop/rock sound — influenced by Amy Grant, Natalie Merchant, Carrie Underwood and Sheryl Crow — she's committed to spreading faith-affirming messages that are just as uplifting to believers as they are inspiring to seekers.
The release of A Wild Rose marks the culmination of a whirlwind year that has seen the singer/songwriter sharing the stage with some of Christian music's top artists at major festivals including Spirit West Coast, AtlantaFest, Ichthus, Creation NE, Cornerstone, Lifest, Sonshine and Creation NW. She also was chosen to perform on the Talent Spotlight Stage at Walt Disney World's popular Night of Joy and was selected for a soloist role in Ruth Graham's musical, Fear Not Tomorrow.
About A Wild Rose:
For A Wild Rose, Elias teamed with acclaimed producer Robert White Johnson, whose body of work includes songwriting and production credits with such artists as Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Larnelle Harris, Johnny Van Zant and Michael Bolton.
For A Wild Rose, Elias teamed with acclaimed producer Robert White Johnson, whose body of work includes songwriting and production credits with such artists as Celine Dion, Faith Hill, Larnelle Harris, Johnny Van Zant and Michael Bolton.
"Julie's debut album contains 10 original songs that chronicle and delve into her relationship with Christ throughout huge changes in her life. …Rock arrangements and clever melodies convey her message in a refreshing and fun sound that is unique to Julie's style," says Kevin Davis atNewReleaseTuesday.com.
A Wild Rose doesn't just stir the soul rhythmically, but also showcases both the triumphs and challenges throughout Elias's spiritual and artistic journey, while simultaneously inspiring others as they search for their place in this world.
"I have been there," Elias confesses. "I am there. I face challenges every single day and try to make good decisions, but admit freely that I am not perfect. We are all on a spiritual journey. Mine just happens to be chronicled by music. It's not always easy to expose your vulnerabilities and share your heart with people, but God has given me this opportunity and it is my sincere wish that people become encouraged to delve deeper into their own faith upon hearing my songs."
"I've always believed you can hear words, but you can feel music," says Elias. "What is a relationship with God without feeling His presence through your entire being? Sometimes songs can touch you in a way that words cannot."
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