Julia Fredersdorff is a violinist who has planted her flag very firmly with the Baroque violin – so much so, that she was the first student at the Victorian College of the Arts to study the instrument, separate from the modern violin. After a period in Europe playing with some of their finest ensembles, she returned to Australia to found the perfectly titled Van Diemen’s Band, as well as playing frequently as concertmaster with the Orchestra of the Antipodes, period string quartet Ironwood and baroque trio Latitude 37. In June, she is making a guest appearance with Bach Akadamie Australia.

In this conversation, Julia shares some delightfully light-hearted stories about what attracted her to the Baroque violin, the formation of Van Diemen's Band, and gives great insights into music of the era and performance technique.