Finding Her Melody
How Julie Zorrilla is Inspiring the Next Generation of Musicians
Photos by Jordan Randall
In a hidden corner of downtown Bartow, laughter spills from a cozy studio where the sound of piano keys and bright young voices fill the air. At first glance, Melodywise School of Music looks like a charming neighborhood arts space—and it is that—but step inside, and you’ll find something far more special.
This is where Julie Zorrilla, a world-traveled performer and former American Idol finalist, is raising up the next generation of artists.
“I started playing piano when I was 4 because my brother was taking lessons,” the 35-year-old recalls. “It’s something I fell in love with early. I was lucky my parents were doctors but always encouraged me to follow my passion. They made sure I had every opportunity to grow.”
That passion took her far. Julie trained at the Denver School of the Arts and later at the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy in California. Her career blossomed, leading to collaborations with acclaimed producers and performances alongside music legends in cities across the globe.
“I lived in Dubai for years, always on the move, performing, and recording,” she says. “I was living out of a suitcase.”
But when she became a mother 4 years ago with the birth of her son, Kai, her tempo changed.
“My son was the reason the business exists,” Julie says. “Motherhood forced me to settle down. I wanted to find a way to spend as much time with my child as possible and still do what I love.”
When her family relocated to Central Florida, Julie envisioned a space where children could explore music in a way that felt authentic and personal: a creative haven built around curiosity, not perfection.
She started by offering after-school music sessions at All Saints Academy in Winter Haven, but as demand grew, she realized she needed more space. That’s when she discovered Bartow.
“I was drawn to downtown Bartow immediately,” she shares. “It’s such a charming, close-knit community. I fell in love with it. Once I found this space, I knew this was home.”
In 2024, Melodywise School of Music officially opened its doors. Today, the school offers piano, guitar, and voice lessons, all tailored to each child’s interests. She also hosts an immersive mixed media art camp in the summer and is constantly creating opportunities for children to explore their imaginations in tactile ways.
Julie calls Melodywise a “creative safe haven,” where the classroom feels more like an artist’s studio.
“I don’t use a cookie-cutter curriculum,” she explains. “Each child tells me what they’re curious about, and I follow that curiosity. I want them to feel free to create, to unravel who they are. We’re raising critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers, not just musicians.”
The school’s growth has been steady and heartfelt. With more than 30 students and plans to launch a homeschool enrichment program next year, Melodywise has quickly become a staple for local families. But for many parents, the lessons go far beyond music.
Making an Impact Early On
For Bartow mom Kaylea Andrews, discovering Melodywise was an answered prayer. After leaving her corporate job to homeschool her two daughters, Lilly, 10, and Amalie, 6, she began searching for an outlet that would nurture their creativity.
“I was on a Bartow mom Facebook page and just typed in ‘piano,’” she laughs. “I had no idea this place even existed. When I saw how Julie incorporated art, that sealed the deal for us.”
The girls quickly fell in love with their lessons, though it wasn’t always easy.
“By week two, reality set in,” Kaylea says. “My oldest wanted to quit. There were tears, frustration, all of it. But Julie encouraged her, gently but firmly. She teaches that you can do hard things, and the recital proved it.”
Just five months after starting, Lilly performed two songs from memory at a recital at Florida Southern College.
“She walked off stage and said, ‘Thank you for not letting me quit,’” Kaylea recalls. “It was one of those moments that just changes you as a parent. You see your child push past fear, and suddenly, they see themselves differently.”
Julie’s approach, balancing creative freedom with discipline, has struck a deep chord with families like the Andrews’.
“She’s strict, but in the best way,” Kaylea says. “There’s so much love and structure. She challenges the kids, and they thrive on it. They learn perseverance, confidence, and expression, all through music.”
“I want them to feel free to create, to unravel who they are. We’re raising critical thinkers and creative problem-solvers, not just musicians.”
Melodywise owner and founder Julie Zorrilla has helped students like Amalie (left) and Lilly (above) unlock a different part of their brains and become more creative as well as disciplined through music and art.
Finding Purpose in the Journey
For Julie, Melodywise isn’t just a business. It’s a calling.
“I feel like everything before this was preparing me for now,” she reflects. “I finally have enough experience to show up for these kids and pour into them. I do everything with my whole heart.”
That sense of purpose is what keeps her dreaming. Julie plans to register Melodywise’s upcoming homeschool program through Step Up For Students, a Florida scholarship initiative, and hopes to establish a nonprofit arm to expand access and reach more children.
But at the heart of it all, her vision remains simple: to cultivate joy.
“In a world that moves so fast, I want this to be a place where kids can slow down, explore, and just be themselves,” she says. “Music is how we connect to ourselves, to each other, to something bigger.”
As for Kaylea, she believes Melodywise is already shaping something profound in her daughters’ lives.
“Julie gives God all the glory for what she’s doing, and honestly, so do we,” she says. “You can feel His hand in this place. It’s more than lessons. It’s ministry through music.”
In the rhythm of everyday life, Melodywise is quietly composing something beautiful: not just melodies, but memories that will last a lifetime.
