Julian Thompson is one of Australia’s most versatile and adventurous cellists, with a career that has incorporated all facets of music making including solo recitals, concerto appearances, chamber music, CD recordings, orchestral playing, artistic advising, teaching and composition.

Julian was born and raised in Canberra and has done much of his musical training in the city. He studied with Lois Simpson for 10 years and still considers her teaching to be pivotal in his music making. In 1994 Julian was awarded the inaugural National Undergraduate Scholarship for Music at the ANU, studying with David Pereira, and graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Music with First Class Honours. In this same year Julian played Principal Cello with the Australian Youth Orchestra. In 1999 Julian took up a scholarship at the Australian National Academy of Music’s Advanced Performance Program. Julian was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship in 2000 and he completed a Masters degree at Indiana University in 2002 studying under the cello luminaries Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Janos Starker and David Baker (Jazz).

In 1997 Julian was appointed Principal Cello with the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, a position that he continues to hold. He also plays Principal Cello with the Haydn Bande Chamber Orchestra. Julian has played Associate Principal Cello with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and also performs regularly with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

Chamber music is a passion of Julian’s and he has performed at numerous festivals around Australia and internationally including the Melbourne International Chamber Music Festival and the Canberra International Chamber Music Festival. Julian also maintains a strong interest in many non-classical forms of music making. He has performed at all of Australia’s major folk festivals in a wide variety of different musical styles and contexts both as a solo artist and in concert with performers such as Chris Duncan (Scottish fiddle) and Joaquin Amenabar (Bandoneon) and also with bands such as Closet Klezmer and Trio Triplika.

Julian’s performances have been broadcast on radio stations including ABC Classic FM, 3MBS, 4MBS and Concert FM New Zealand. He has recorded for the ABC Classics, Klavier, Blue Bear and EMI record labels including the much-lauded collaboration with renowned Scottish violinist Chris Duncan (Fyvie's Embrace) that won the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Award) for "Best World Music Album" of 1999. A sequel to this CD is due for release in 2006.

Julian plays a cello made in 1898 by Swiss luthier, Gustav Methfessel.