This summer Julia Escobar and Joshua Valdez traveled to Bulgaria for the National Academy of Music flute and clarinet masterclasses, June 21-28 in Sofia, Bulgaria. They received master class instruction from three famous Bulgarian flutists (Lydia Oshavkova, Georgi Spassov, and Ventsislav Kindalov) and interact with high school-age Bulgarian flute students to learn about their music education and their culture.
Julia also attended the Zodiac Music Academy & Festival from July 2-14 in Valdeblore, France (a tiny village in the mountains in the French Riviera). This chamber music festival was hosted by the famous Zodiac Trio. She studied with flutist Sergio Pallottelli and participated in a chamber music ensemble with strings as well as performing a solo.