Violinist for Christmas and Holiday Parties
Julie Schatz plays live violin and piano for Christmas parties, Hanukkah celebrations and holiday dinners at homes, clubs and restaurants across New York City, New Jersey and Long Island.
A one-hour set of solo violin starts at $725. Sound is included, and the setup is small enough for a living room.
At home: house parties and apartment gatherings
A house or apartment party is the simplest booking. Solo violin needs very little: a place to stand near the room where people gather, and a compact speaker. The speaker can run on a battery, so an outlet is helpful but not required. For piano she plays yours if you have one, or brings a keyboard, stand and bench, which needs a bit more floor space and one outlet.
An hour of music as guests arrive is a good place to start. It matches the Private Event (1 hour) option on the booking form. Two hours covers arrivals and dinner.
Holiday dinners at clubs and restaurants
For a family dinner in a private room or a holiday gathering at your club, violin or jazz piano sits at conversation level, so the table can talk. Julie can coordinate arrival and setup with the venue.
Hanukkah parties
Hanukkah parties are welcome, at home or at a venue. Tell Julie the songs your family wants to hear when you inquire, and whether you would like music around the candle lighting.
Friendsgiving and holiday open houses
An open house has people coming and going all afternoon, which suits a longer, lighter set. Friendsgiving dinners usually want an hour of music during arrivals and drinks. Either way, the booking is the same: pick the hours, and send any requests.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Ask about Christmas Eve and Christmas Day when you inquire. Those dates are confirmed one at a time.
Formats
- Solo violin. One musician, a small footprint, and the easiest fit for arrivals and cocktail hour.
- Jazz piano. Standards, soul and modern covers at conversation level for dinner.
- Violin and piano duo. Julie switching between the two, or the two-musician Soul Shades duo for a fuller sound.
- DJ and live violin. A full DJ set with violin played live over it, for when the room is ready to dance.
Want a DJ for the whole night? See holiday party DJ with DJ DX.
Holiday songs
Tell Julie which holiday songs you want when you inquire and she will confirm what fits the set. Up to three requests from the existing list are included with every booking, and the jazz standards, soul and pop on it work at a holiday party too. You can see the full 255-song repertoire.
Pricing
Holiday parties use the published private event rates.
| Service | Zone 1 Under 20 mi | Zone 2 20 to 40 mi | Zone 3 40 to 60 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| ViolinUp to 1 hour | $725 | $825 | $925 |
| PianoUp to 1 hour | $875 | $975 | $1,075 |
| Violin2 hours | $1,025 | $1,125 | $1,225 |
| Piano2 hours | $1,175 | $1,275 | $1,375 |
| DJ and live violin4 hours, sound and lighting included | $4,500 | $4,700 | $4,900 |
Zones are measured in miles from Brooklyn. Each additional hour is $300 for violin or piano and $500 for DJ and live violin. Beyond 60 miles is quoted individually. Full details on the pricing page.
December dates and lead time
Reach out as soon as you have a date. Bookings made less than two weeks ahead carry a 25% short-notice surcharge, so earlier is also cheaper.
Recent and upcoming holiday work
- December 10, 2026. Corporate holiday party at The Palace at Somerset, Somerset, NJ.
- December 2025. Shared the bill with Crystal Waters at a corporate event.
Planning something for your company, or for the last night of the year? See Corporate holiday party music and New Year's Eve live music. For birthdays, anniversaries and other celebrations, go back to private events.
Questions
How much is a violinist for a Christmas or holiday party?
Solo violin is $725 for up to one hour in Zone 1 (New York City, Hoboken and Jersey City), $825 in Zone 2 (most of Long Island, Westchester and Northern NJ) and $925 in Zone 3. Two hours is $1,025, $1,125 or $1,225. Piano is $875, $975 or $1,075 for up to one hour.
Can you play in an apartment or a house?
Yes. Solo violin needs a place to stand and a compact speaker, which can run on a battery. Piano needs either your own piano or room for a keyboard, stand and bench, plus one outlet.
Do you play Hanukkah parties?
Yes. Tell Julie the songs your family wants and whether you would like music around the candle lighting, and she will confirm what fits the set.
Are you available on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Ask when you inquire. Those dates are confirmed one at a time.
How long should we book?
One hour covers guests arriving and the first round of drinks. Two hours covers arrivals and dinner. Each additional hour is $300.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can for a weekend evening in December. Bookings made less than two weeks ahead carry a 25% short-notice surcharge.
Tell Julie about your holiday party.
Date, address or venue, number of guests and how long you want music. She replies within 24 hours.
Check your date →