New artist Julie Elias recently kicked off a full summer touring schedule when the singer/songwriter performed at the three-day Del Mar, Calif., festival, Spirit West Coast, and AtlantaFest, Georgia's pre-eminent summer Christian festival, where she debuted songs from her upcoming CD, A Wild Rose. Elias was featured alongside Christian music's top artists, including Toby Mac, Newsboys, Tenth Avenue North, Matthew West, Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp and Britt Nicole.

"My festival debut could not have gone better," Elias says. "I was humbled to be able to share the stage with so many artists who I have admired for years and I had a great time talking with young people about how they sensed God's presence and comfort through the music at the festival."

Spirit West Coast and AtlantaFest were the first stops on an impressive line-up of eight major Christian music festivals throughout the U.S. Elias is scheduled to perform next on June 22 with a Main Stage performance at Ichthus Music Festival in Wilmore, Ky. She rounds out her summer as a Main Stage performer at Creation 2012 Northeast in Mt. Union, Pa., on June 30; Cornerstone Festival 2012 in Bushnell, Ill., on July 6; Lifest in Oshkosh, Wis., on July 13; Sonshine Festival in Wilmar, Minn., on July 14; and Creation 2012 Northwest in Enumclaw, Wash., on July 20.

For more information about Elias and A Wild Rose, visit julieeliasmusic.com, or follow her on Facebook (facebook.com/julieeliasmusic) or Twitter (@julieeliasmusic).

Photo caption: Julie Elias, center/front, performs at Del Mar, Calif.'s Spirit West Coast, with her band, including drummer Justin Cowden, far right. (Julie Elias photo)

About Julie Elias:
Elias' career spanned various facets of the arts - from leading worship to musical theater - before the singer/songwriter fully embraced her calling to become a recording artist. Though she's wholeheartedly committed to help listeners tap into their God-ordained purpose, she didn't arrive at her current calling overnight. In fact, her performance path looked completely different just two years ago when the Nevada native found herself in Hollywood pursuing work in film and television.

"I studied musical theater in college and there's something fascinating - and downright fun - about immersing yourself in a character. To participate in the preparation and rehearsal that goes into a performance is hugely enjoyable and gratifying. Making the move to Hollywood to pursue work in film and television seemed like a great way to make something I was passionate about into a career," says Elias.

After making the networking rounds in Hollywood, Elias was well on her way to becoming an up-and-coming actress thanks to various extra roles on Grey's Anatomy (where she was a regular for two seasons), CSI: New York, Bones, Flash Forward, Community, Parks and Recreation, Weeds and Dexter. She also appeared in several films as an extra, including Due Date, starring Robert Downey Jr., and Larry Crowne with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.

A Christmas trip to her hometown in 2010 caused Elias to reexamine her career options. During the holiday, she performed in her home church's praise and worship band and sang in some local concerts.

"It took a seemingly routine Christmas concert that year for me to realize what I've been called to do. In fact, Christmas of that year was the most clear-cut, obvious message I've ever received from God, period! It was as if He said 'I am spelling it out for you, in bold caps: PAY ATTENTION,'" Elias says.

At the beginning of 2011, Elias began making regular pilgrimages to Nashville to collaborate with Music City's top songwriters and producers. The trips resulted in her national debut CD, A Wild Rose, set to release Summer 2012, which features 10 fresh tunes that chronicle her journey thus far.

As Elias gears up to make her mark on the modern day music scene with her engaging songwriting style and fresh pop/rock sound - influenced by Amy Grant, Natalie Merchant, Carrie Underwood and Sheryl Crow - she's committed to spreading faith-affirming messages that are just as uplifting to believers as they are inspiring to seekers.

"We are all constantly on a spiritual journey and mine is chronicled by music. I've always believed you can hear words, but you can feel music," Elias says. "What is a relationship with God without feeling His presence through your entire being? Sometimes songs can touch you in a way that words cannot."