Born and raised in Palo Alto, California, Julie Lake first knew she loved performing after rocking "Part of Your World" from Disney's The Little Mermaid in her first grade talent show. She continued singing throughout high school, performing at jazz festivals with her school's big band. As a sophomore she was named High School Jazz Vocal Soloist of the Year by Downbeat Magazine.
She went on to attend Yale University where she majored in theater and performed the title roles in productions of Mother Courage and Medea. After graduation she moved to New York City where she performed in numerous plays under the direction of Alex Timbers, including his Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and Elizabeth Meriwether's Heddatron.
