Meet Julieanne Forrest, the 20-year-old Irish violinist who’ll storm the stage at Tomorrowland this weekend

Her preps for the upcoming first weekend of Tomorrowland, the legendary EDM festival which kicks off in Boom, Belgium on Friday, will be the culmination of a music experience far removed from her classical studies at the legendary Music and Arts University in Vienna.

In a process that started in April this year, Julieanne, from Navan in Co. Meath, is one of seven exceptional musicians who won a coveted place to join the global, 50-person Symphony of Unity. This Tomorrowland orchestra, supported by BMW as part of their global collaborations in sound, music and technology, plays classical versions of EDM favourites, and will take to the Atmosphere stage on Saturday afternoon at 4pm.

Julieanne heard about the search for talent through a friend in Ireland who texted her the details. She immediately applied and was connected with the Symphony of Unity’s conductor Kevin Houbin who was key to the selection process. “In May the seven of us met for the first time, when we were brought to a bootcamp with BMW in Terra Solis, Dubai to play together. It was the most luxurious experience I’ve ever had, and we were treated like superstars, right down to making a video in the sand dunes.”

Julieanne is no stranger to performing, with a string of accolades to her name including solo classical performances in France, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria and the UK, along with an appearance at the world-famous Carnegie Hall with the New York Concerti Sinfonietta, but this is her first foray into EDM. “I’d be familiar with Hans Zimmer, but a lot of what we’re going to be playing will be new to me. I love all forms of music though; there are masterpieces in every genre of music, so it would be a shame not to discover them when you are young. The chance to do a project like this is so much fun; it’s a fresh take from the classical music I’m usually immersed in through collage.”

The competition to find such exceptional talent and give them an experience of a lifetime is part of BMW AG’s international expansion of their music strategy and part of a campaign to inspire and encourage people to come together and make memories.

“I’m really looking forward to the performance, of course, but also to that first rehearsal – to see and hear everybody as we get to know what we’ll be playing. The feeling of 50 people together is always exciting. And I’ve never been to Belgium before, so that’s something new. We’re staying in Antwerp for almost a week as we prepare. We’ll do two full days rehearsals ahead of the weekend, and then the performance.”

Julieanne’s 1760 Nicolo Gagliano violin is obviously very precious and always by her side. “I’ve been known to book the seat beside me on airplanes for it”, but when it comes to planning what to wear on stage, Julieanne is less fastidious. “We have to wear black, but at the moment, I’m undecided so I have two or three options packed. And if someone has any glitter, I wouldn’t mind giving that a go.”

And when the glitter has worn off, Julianne will be headed for Switzerland to join the orchestra at the Sion Festival for her second year. “It’s where a lot of the musicians I really admire will perform, so I can’t wait to see them. Then, it’s home to Meath for my mum’s birthday before college starts again in September.”

“Music speaks one global, emotional language,” says Stefan Ponikva, Head of Brand Communication and Experience, BMW. “As a relationship brand with ‘joy’ at its core, Tomorrowland is a perfect match for us as a brand”.

Tomorrowland takes place the weekends of July 21, 22 and 23; and July 28, 29, 30 at the Recreation Area De Schorre in Boom, Belgium. The Symphony of Unity, supported by BMW perform on the Atmosphere stage on Saturday afternoon, July 22, at 4pm.