Julia Jenkins Holt serves as the Vocal Music Director at Eisenhower High School and Malow Junior High School in Shelby Township, MI. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education from Michigan State University and holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Oakland University.

Julia received the honor of being named the Macomb County High School Teacher of the Year in 2014. Actively engaged in MSVMA, she currently holds the roles of Treasurer and State Scheduling Coordinator and has previously served as Co-Manager of District 16. Julia has been the conductor of the Session 2 SSA Choir at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp since 2014 and led the 2016 MSVMA 6-7-8 SA State Honors Choir. From 2013 to 2023, she was the lead music teacher for the kindergarten through 5th grade students in Kensington Community Church’s Kaleo performing arts program. Committed to nurturing the next generation of vocal music teachers, she opens her classroom to student teachers and observers, paying forward the support she received from educators in her own past.

Under Julia’s direction, the choirs at Eisenhower and Malow consistently achieve top ratings at MSVMA festivals since her arrival in 2003. They have showcased their talent in many venues including the MSVMA All-State Festival, Michigan Youth Arts Festival, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Many of Julia’s students have earned positions in the 6-7-8-9 State Honors Choirs, High School State and All-State Honors Choirs, as well as the All-State Jazz Honors Choir. Most recently, the Eisenhower Show Choir was chosen as the MT S&E East Site ensemble to perform at the All-State Gala Concert in May. Julia’s teaching philosophy emphasizes achieving the highest technical performance level across multiple genres, while creating a deep emotional connection to the music and fellow performers. Julia lives in Troy with her extremely supportive band director husband, Gregory, and their two budding musicians, Anna and David.

The MSVMA membership annually honors one of its own with recognition as Teacher of the Year. Nominations are made at spring and fall District meetings, forwarded to the past president for verification of requirements and placement on a ballot for membership  consideration. 

Teacher of the Year nominees must:

• Be a current member of MSVMA
• Have taught a minimum of 15 years, at least 10 of which are on the secondary level in Michigan
• Have demonstrated consistent excellence in performance
• Have been influential in creating a love and understanding of music for the masses

The Teacher of the Year is announced at the Michigan Music Conference and finalists are asked to attend.