Written by Aimee O’Grady for Fauquier Times, published on July 10, 2024. Read the original article here. Read the minimally corrected version below.

You wouldn’t know Julianne Carr was a shy child watching her lead a rock band on stage during Liberty High School’s graduation at Jiffy Lube Live where she performed hits from 2012 – the year the graduates started kindergarten.

But Carr’s journey, which was first inspired by a music-loving family, was helped along by lessons with a Fauquier County music teacher, Maddi Mae Martin.

“Julianne shines through her music,” said Martin. “Music helped her to overcome her shyness.”

Carr had once been shy to the point of silence.

“I wouldn’t talk to anyone except my parents and my closest friends,” she said.

The two met through [another studio], but in 2021, Martin opened her Sound House in Remington. Maddi Mae’s Sound House is a music school and songwriting studio where she aims to help young musicians through the songwriting process – and Carr followed her there.

“Maddi has gone above and beyond to guide me through my growth as a musician and as a person,” Carr said. “Not only has she been an exceptional teacher, but she has also provided with me so many opportunities, from taking me to her shows so I can see the ins and outs of gigging to helping me form a band.”

Martin has been writing songs since she was six years old and began teaching others at age 19. She is a professional songwriter, vocalist, and musician with more than a decade of experience writing, recording and performing. She has performed more than 550 shows, both solo and as a member of psychedelic and folk-rock bands.

In 2020, she released a six-song record called Quiet Corners that has amassed over 100,000 streams in more than 70 countries on Spotify. Last year, she released a single called “Die Today,” a song intended to help folks hit the emotional or mental reset button when they feel like everything is too much.

Songwriting for Martin begins with what she refers to as thought-fishing, which is much like brainstorming. Writing a song can sometimes take years.

Martin spent three years working with Carr on a piece that Carr wrote [during a songwriting workshop at] Sound House. “Skipping Seasons” has over 4,600 streams on Spotify and has been performed by Carr’s band, the Sunstones. It was the first single released from the band’s EP Empty Pockets, and it was produced by Martin at Sound House. As Carr matured through high school, “The song has grown with her,” Martin said.

Sunstones is the five-piece, indie rock, high school band. Its members met one another through Sound House.

“Being a part of The Sunstones is an incomparable experience for these young musicians,” Martin said. “It’s difficult to maintain this level of commitment to the music and the band in high school – or at any age, really.”

Martin recently awarded Carr with a “Master Student” award.

“I’ve worked with hundreds of students, and this is only the second time I have given this recognition,” she said. “When I present a student with this honor, I want people to know that I guarantee their exceptional skills, knowledge and work ethic as a musician.”

What’s next for Julianne Carr?

Carr’s musical success carried over into marching band. In December, she qualified and auditioned for the all-district band with the clarinet. She placed as first chair for District 14. From there, she qualified for All-State along with 120 other clarinet players in the state, placed 32nd chair and made it into the state concert band ensemble.

She is the only Liberty High School student to ever make it into the all-state band. Carr will attend the Shenandoah University Conservatory in the fall.

“I am extremely proud of Julianne’s accomplishment of earning a spot in the All-State band,” said Liberty High Band/Orchestra Director Patrick Neidich. “What I found to be truly rewarding as director was that many of our band members were genuinely happy for her and excited that she was the first from Liberty to earn the honor to represent the band at the All-State level.”

What’s next at Sound House?

Maddi Mae’s Sound House will hold a back-to-school fundraiser on July 20 at the Remington Community Garden. Attendees are asked to bring school supplies for the upcoming school year.

The fundraiser will feature performances by Niamh Kierans, the Sunstones, and White Wall. Follow Sound House on social media for details @soundhouseva. To apply to study with Maddi Mae Martin, visit soundhouseva.com/apply.

P.S. Thank you so much to Aimee O’Grady and Fauquier Times for featuring Julianne and I here at Sound House. We appreciate the interest and support in our work. (Maddi Mae)