Meet the Music Makers

Julie Murray

Founder and Head Music practitioner

Julie is the highly experienced brain-obsessed Head Music Maker and owner of Sounds Like This.

Her music making journey started at 7 with a recorder. It went with her EVERYWHERE! She tooted it in the house, she tooted it in the bath, she tooted it in the toilet, and she played it A LOT in her backyard.

(Very little has changed. She still makes music in a little studio in her garden!)

Since that first moment tooting that little beige Yamaha, Julie began a deep exploration of music and music making. She began formal music lessons on the flute at age eight and soon added piano to the repertoire too.

Growing up in an ACDC and Pink Floyd filled home, Julie’s mother was quite baffled when Bach and Mozart were added to the record collection. But she was stoked to see Julie charming the local market-goers out of their loose change as she worked her magic busking.

In 2000 Julie performed as part of the Sydney Olympic Opening Ceremony, then, in 2001, to thousands during the Beijing University Games. She has since worked in orchestras, large scale concert bands, chamber ensembles, and also as a soloist.

After completing her Bachelor of Music at the Melba Conservatorium in 2006, the Melba hired Julie to run their lesson and concert programs, feeding her desire to one day open her own music school.

Nothing gives Julie greater pleasure than the twinkly-eyed ‘ah ha’ moments when something clicks in her little charge’s brain and they just GET it!

Now, Julie’s obsessed with the impact music can have on a child’s growing brain and has created Sounds Like This to support you with resources to help build on your beautiful bond with your child.

Lauren Nilsson

Early Years Education Specialist

Lauren’s passion for music began with a tap on the shoulder.

When she was eight years old, scouts from the Victorian Children’s Choir came to her primary school looking for new members. She stood in a row in the hall and sang Waltzing Matilda with her classmates.

Then she felt a tap on her shoulder!

She was given a yellow notice, an invitation to join the choir. So began her 3-year adventure training and performing with the Victorian Children’s Choir, and many years since then passionately involved in music.

As a qualified kindergarten educator and long-time music maker, Lauren joined the Sounds Like This team in 2014.

Since then, Lauren has engaged in countless hours of music theory tuition, community choirs, and musical play workshops, and can harmonise like an angel.

Lauren specialises in play-based children’s sessions for community groups, daycares, and kindergartens. And her gentle approach emanates warmth and kindness.