Hey Julie! Thanks for doing the interview with me!
Could you start by telling us alittle about yourself? Hey, my name is Julie Anna Dubela, I'm 15 and a Sophomore at Exeter Highschool in New Hampshire. I have been recording music for the last five years. I mostly redo covers because I love all of the old 60's and 70's bands. These days I have been singing the National Anthem alot. I have sang for the Red Sox twice, the New England Patriots, the Boston Bruins, the Boston Celtics, the New Hampshire House of Representatives, and tons of other places. Oh, and I put away like 3000 calories a day. People always think I'm anorexic or something because I'm thin. that couldn't be further from the truth. I love to eat, actually I obsess over food haha.

So I know you were on American Juniors what was that like?
Wow that seems like so long ago. The Producers of AJ told us before production even started that it didn't matter who won or lost because the show itself wasn't going to make anyone famous. I think that was good advice. I was really bummed to get eliminated so quick but wound up using the experience to build up my career. It was a great place to start. The show itself was wicked fun. We all got so close and it was nice being around other kids that had the same interests in singing that I did. When I look at pictures from the show I can't even believe that that was me.

What was your favorite part of the show?
Hmmm well not the food, They gave all the parents this wicked good spread and assumed the kids wanted chicken nuggets...I'm not a chicken nugget and carrot snack kind of girl! But all the restaurants in the area were great so we went out alot. It was fun recording in Michael Jackson's studio too.

So have you released any albulms or still working on one?
Well like I said, there are so many great old songs that never get played on the radio. I love messing around with them. There are two songs on my song list that are original..."I'll Always Believe, and My father's Eyes. My Father's Eyes is being mixed right now so it should be up soon. I went down to NJ this summer to visit my Grandparents and recorded it with Dave Weber, it's his song, who has been letting me sing with him for years.

Do you write your own songs?
I'm working on it, but i'm not going to put out something that isn't as good as the covers that I have done. You know? I don't want to start sounding like some kind of a cheesy amature hour because my writing skills aren't where they need to be yet. I'm learning guitar too which really helps. And my writing is getting better haha. I once auditioned for Bernie Taupin in NYC. Bernie is the guy who writes with Elton John. He makes word pictures that are so intense and poetic and then puts them to music. Writing clever lyrics is not so easy.

What song that you have performed was the best to perform so far?
It really depends. I started out as an "Annie" belter. We all thought I would wind up an Alto. Turns out after a couple of years that I'm a little more comfortable as a Soprano. Luckily I can sing both but I can feel a super belted song putting stresss on my voice. Like "Vanishing" by Mariah Cary. Tough song to get through. anything from Phantom of the Opera, easy to hit everything. But the best to perform? Geeze, I guess I do a pretty good "Voice Within". I've performed so many that I've lost track. Their all good songs...whether you like my version of them is a matter of taste.

Are you on tour or planning any upcoming tours?
No, not right now. I would like to get through High School. I have had a bunch of offers from smaller labels but in order for me to quit school and leave my home and friends it would have to be a deal I couldn't refuse from a major label. I am thinking about trying out for American idol next year if FOX lets me do it. I don't know if I can because of American Juniors.

You were also on a show called "Endurance" right?
Endurance was wicked fun. It's on Discovery Kids TV network

What was that like?
Sadly I got booted off the island on that one too, haha. But this time it was because my team was too strong. It's ok. Everyone got booted eventually except one team. It was so pretty there. No tv, hot showers, electricity, computers. we just had eachother and nature to keep us entertained. Being more of a Mall chick than a nature chick I thought I would hate it. But I loved it, and learned alot about myself as a person. I would like to go back there some day.

What do you enjoy more writing, recording, or performing live?
I think I answered this one all ready. I'd say recording just because I'm comfortable with my technique and what I like and don't like. Performing is always fun. I don't get nervous about it or anything but I do have a bad habit of killing lyrics in the middle of a song. In the studio I have the lyrics in front of me. Live I sometimes don't remember all the verses and have to adlib. that can be a trip if you get too off track. it's like "Please, just let this song end!!!"

Who are some of your musical influences?
Sara Brightman, Mariah Cary, Linda Eder, Grateful Dead, Led Zepplin, Reggae, Opera, ... How's that for a range? I'm not that into pop, which I probably should be, being that I'm 15. Never really got the country thing either. I've dabbled in just about everything else.

If you could give one peice of advice to aspiring singers what would it be?
First of all it's a tough business. You have to be ok about not making it big if things don't turn out that way. If you don't have a thick skin you should probably run for your your life. Probably the biggest mistake that aspiring singers make is that they sing outside of where they should be singing. Very few girls have the pipes to sing, say Whitney Houston, yet that's what they choose to show off their voices. You are better off with an easier song that you can hit well every time than a wicked hard song that makes people wince.

Thanks for your time! Anything you want to say to your fans?
Thanks for sticking by me for so long. You guys are the best!! And thanks for the interview
Luvs,
Julie