Bio
Julio Petersen III was born and raised in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands, where he discovered his musical talents in the fourth grade. Throughout his High School years, he performed as a lead vocalist in a local reggae/calypso band.
Upon completion of High School in 2006, Julio attended the University of the Virgin Islands as a Music Education Major. At this time, he also won the title of Mr. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. After one semester, he decided to Enlist into the U.S. Army as an Active-Duty Soldier. In 2008, Julio competed and won Military Idol, which was the military’s version of American Idol. This allowed him to become a performer in the 2009 Army Soldier Show. The Army Soldier Show is a live Broadway-style variety production comprised of all military members. They traveled and toured around world entertaining other military members and their family. At the end of the tour, Julio was ordered to deploy to Baghdad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, for 12 months. During the deployment, Julio was selected to direct the Gospel Choir at the Chapel on base. He was also able to obtain his Associates Degree in Business, at that time.
In 2012, after returning from Iraq, Julio was again selected to perform in the Soldier Show. As the tour came to an end, so did his Active-Duty contract. Julio then decided to continue serving the country as an Army Reserves Soldier until May 2015. Julio founded his company “JPete Productions LLC” in 2014 which produced five Main Stage productions, in Houston TX. He has worked with several Theater Companies in Houston. Julio attained his Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance (Theatre minor) from Texas Southern University in 2017, and currently works as a Theatre Teacher in Houston Independent School District, where he won his campus’ “Teacher of the Year” award in 2019. In 2020, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, Julio created a Children’s YouTube channel called “Mr. Pete’s Playhouse.” The show was created as a resource to provide lessons to his students, virtually. Mr. Pete’s Playhouse has produced numerous full-length episodes on YouTube and produces songs for streaming and live performances. Each episode focuses on a particular subject and includes music, movement, stories, arts & crafts and interactive activities for kids.
