Julie Duty (United Sound)
Overview
Julie Duty is the founder and executive director of United Sound, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting social change and inclusion through music education. Established in 2014, United Sound aims to foster relationships between students with and without disabilities by integrating them into the instrumental music classroom. The organization's mission is to increase self-esteem, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging among participants by providing meaningful musical performance experiences. Julie Duty, with a strong background in music education, has leveraged her experience and educational insights to create this impactful initiative, which has reached over 12,000 students across 31 states, facilitating more than 250,000 hours of collaborative music-making.
Recent Developments
- October 2025: The Casa Grande Union High School District announced plans to integrate United Sound into their curriculum. The initiative, presented by Martin Hebda, the Union High School band director, involves pairing students with disabilities with peer mentors to create an inclusive musical environment. The startup costs are covered by a grant, facilitating the adaptation of music parts and mentor training.
- September 2025: Thunderbirds Charities announced funding support for United Sound, emphasizing the organization’s role in creating a culture of inclusion and respect. This support aims to expand United Sound's programs and offerings for the 2025-2026 academic year.
- 2024-2025: United Sound continues to grow, expanding its reach and refining its mentoring and peer engagement strategies. Efforts include adapting teaching materials to be more inclusive and accessible, ensuring that students of all abilities can participate fully in music education activities.
- 2023: The organization's impact continues to be recognized at both state and national music education conferences, where Julie Duty participates as a speaker, sharing her insights and advocating for inclusive music education.
Personal Information
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Julie Duty |
| Born | Not publicly available |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Founder and Executive Director of United Sound |
| Known For | Establishing United Sound, music education advocacy |
| Education | Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Arizona State University; Executive Scholar Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northwestern University's Kellogg Executive Education program |
Early Life and Education
Julie Duty was born and raised in Arizona, where she attended Tempe High School before pursuing higher education in music. She attended Arizona State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 1998. During her formative years, Julie developed a passion for inclusive education, spurred by her own experiences and challenges in integrating students of varying abilities into mainstream music classrooms. This passion laid the groundwork for her later efforts to create United Sound. Her background as a band director in Arizona public schools provided Julie with firsthand insight into the systemic barriers faced by students with disabilities, inspiring her to advocate for and develop resources that would make music education accessible to all.
Career and Notable Achievements
Julie Duty's career is markedly defined by her contributions to music education and her advocacy for inclusivity:
- Early 2000s: Julie began her career as a band director in the Arizona public school system, where she taught high school and middle school students, focusing on integrating students with disabilities into mainstream music programs.
- 2014: She founded United Sound to address the need for inclusive music education, orchestrating peer mentoring programs that promote mutual learning and interaction among students.
- 2020s: Julie has been an influential speaker and educator, presenting at over 100 music education conferences and workshops across the United States, including events hosted by the National Association for Music Education and the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference.
- Ongoing: Under her leadership, United Sound has expanded its reach, impacting thousands of students nationwide and receiving significant support from educational and charitable organizations.
Current Work and Impact
Julie Duty continues to lead United Sound with the goal of fostering inclusive and diverse music education environments throughout the United States. Her current work involves enhancing the reach of United Sound's programs, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring sustainability through strategic funding and resource development. The organization's impact is reflected in its over 12,000 student participants and lasting partnerships with educational institutions. As a pioneer in inclusion, Julie Duty's efforts have reshaped the landscape of music education, demonstrating that all students, regardless of ability, can contribute to and benefit from a collaborative learning environment.
Conclusion
Julie Duty’s work with United Sound stands as a testament to the power of inclusivity in education. Her efforts have not only provided musical opportunities to students with disabilities but also fostered an environment of understanding and collaboration among diverse student groups. United Sound's initiatives continue to shape the education sector, encouraging schools across the nation to integrate similar programs into their curricula. Julie’s commitment to equality and her innovative approach have set new standards for music education, ensuring her legacy as a key advocate for inclusive learning models.