In looking at Julie Elias’ multi- faceted career in the arts, it’s clear that the Lord has her on a journey and He’s continuing to mold her for His glory with each adventurous step forward. These days, she’s fully embraced her calling as a singer/songwriter after a lifelong affinity for music, which before becoming a full-fledged recording artist included everything from leading worship to musical theatre to moving to Hollywood. Elias’ path to this point has been circuitous, no doubt; however, all the stops along the way have been essential building blocks to her spiritual and creative foundation.

"I studied musical theatre in college and there’s something fascinating – and downright fun – about immersing yourself in a character. To participate in the preparation and rehearsal that goes into a performance is hugely enjoyable and gratifying.  Making the move to Hollywood to pursue work in film and television seemed like a great way to make something I was passionate about into a career.

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 (for two seasons), CSI: New York, Bones, Flash Forward, Community, Parks and Recreation, Weeds and Dexter. 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.

But amidst the excitement of her first taste of Hollywood success, Elias felt a tugging on her heart that a new door was about to be opened.

"Although I was getting some great opportunities, something was missing and I couldn't put my finger on it no matter how hard I tried,” she says. “As I prayed my way through it, I was able to hear God tell me to be open to other possibilities and that I should not restrict myself solely to acting. However, I am grateful for my time in Hollywood; my experiences ultimately strengthened my relationship with Christ and played an integral part in the journey to realize my calling.”

As Elias started soul-searching, she returned home in 2010 to celebrate Christmas with her family, rejoining her church’s praise and worship team, while also performing some local concerts. As she further unplugged from the hustle and bustle of Tinseltown, her connectivity and ability to relate to audiences on the concert stage became all the more apparent.

"For whatever reasons, I had blinded myself to the place music had in my life,” Elias says. “I took piano lessons for years, played sax in band throughout junior high and high school, and sang in my church for most of my life, all the way from kids' holiday musicals to the praise team once I was in high school. Even my college years included vocal lessons since I was a musical theatre student. Yet 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 ever received from God, period! It was as if He said 'I am spelling it out for you, in bold caps: pay attention.' Despite this revelation, I was still hesitant and spent a few months praying about it, but His guidance never faltered and it was so clear what He wanted me to do.  The moment I embraced that calling, an amazing sense of peace filled my heart and He brought some amazing opportunities my way, almost immediately."

At the beginning of 2011, Elias began makingregular pilgrimages to Nashville to collaborate with Music City’s top songwriters and producers. The trips resulted in her national debut CD, set to release in the first quarter of 2012, which features ten fresh tunes that chronicle her journey.

"These songs are stories of my life spanning good and bad times. For example, I struggled for far too long with forgiving someone who had crushed me. I didn't realize how I continued to hurt myself by hanging on to that resentment. Once I was able to give up my hurt and anger to God, I was free – talk about a weight being lifted! All these songs are personally inspired but are in no way exclusive to me,” says Elias. “I want people to see how He is working in my life while encouraging them to find their hope and answers in Him, as I continue to do the same. Now that I finally understand my calling, the doors are wide open and it is the most exciting part of my life so far.