British-Irish pianist Julie Aherne is a co-founder, répétiteur, and producer for The Black Cat Opera Company, and in this capacity has worked on staged productions, gala evenings, and corporate engagements. In 2016, the company took their production of Così fan tutte to the Birgitta Festival in Tallinn, collaborating with the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra and acclaimed scenographer Lilja Blumenfeld.

Elsewhere, Julie has worked on productions for professional and amateur companies including Opera Della Luna, Celebrate Voice, Rocket Opera, Berwick Festival Opera, Opera Camaratina, and Park Opera.

Julie is a coach and accompanist for Melofonetica, an organisation whose research-based method helps singers achieve clear and expressive sung Italian. In addition to tutoring at their masterclasses and workshops and leading webinars for singers, she coaches and performs on summer schools in Bassano del Grappa, and at the Arte Lirica Festival in Asolo.

Julie is the Musical Director of Woking Ladies Choir and rehearsal pianist for Andover Choral Society. She also regularly deputises at other groups across Surrey and Berkshire including New Egham Singers, Voices Anon, Laudamus, and Genesis Chorale. She is an accompanist for the Association of British Choral Directors and for Royal Holloway, University of London.

Julie studied at Royal Holloway with James Kirby, and later with Matthew Stanley. She has performed concertos by Bach, Mozart, Grieg, and Finzi with orchestras including RHUL Symphony Orchestra and Westminster Chamber Orchestra, with whom she regularly appears as a continuo player.