Julia Hollander is a singing therapist, teacher and performer. Julia’s first career in theatre took her all over the world. She founded the contemporary music theatre company, Operate in the late 80s. In 1991, at the age of 25, she was the first female opera director at the English National Opera, and she has staged operas all over the world.
Julia writes nonfiction that originates in the lived experience, interweaving personal narratives with cutting-edge research. Her first book, Indian Folk Theatres, derived from over a decade working in India as a stage director and performer. She went on to write two memoirs about family life, When the Bough Breaks and Chicken Coops for the Soul. More recently, she returned to her performing arts roots with her latest book, Why We Sing, an exploration of the way in which singing benefits everyday wellbeing. Her plays for BBC radio include a dramatization of When the Bough Breaks and a drama about climate activism, The Kingsnorth Six, as well as an autobiographical documentary, The Letter. She has held writing and research fellowships with the Winston Churchill, Judith E. Wilson and Rajiv Gandhi Foundations, and has been writer in residence at Campsfield Immigration Detention Centre. Julia is currently the Royal Literary Fund Writer in Residence for the Faculty of Medieval and Modern Literature at Oxford University.
Have you discovered the many physical and psychological benefits of singing? As Julia puts it, “We’re not singing because we’re happy — we’re happy because we’re singing.” It’s almost impossible not to smile when you sing. Since COVID, there’s been a surge in singing groups and choirs, and for good reason — singing with others strengthens social bonds and helps combat loneliness. From lullabies to school assemblies, singing has always been a part of our lives, woven through cultures and communities across the world. And now, research is revealing its potential to improve health and even support conditions like dementia. So perhaps it’s time to reclaim your joy — through singing.
Date of episode recording: 2025-06-11T00:00:00Z
Duration: 01.02.40
Language of episode: English
Presenter: Professor Joyce Harper
Guests: Julia Hollander
Producer: Joyce Harper
