A native New Yorker and graduate of the New York public school system and Columbia University, Julian began cello studies at age six at the Manhattan School of Music. Later, his formative mentor was Claus Adam, cellist of the Juilliard String Quartet. For years, Julian performed at the Aspen Music Festival and Chamber Music Northwest, and gave concerto and string quartet performances with artists including violinists Vladimir Spivakov and Oscar Shumsky.

In 1972, Julian created the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and as cellist and executive director he led the ensemble from a counterculture startup to the top echelon of the concert and recording businesses.  The only orchestra in the world where the musicians run the rehearsals and decide their own seating positions for every piece of music, Orpheus was conceived by Julian as a conductorless ensemble in which all the musicians would share both artistic opportunities and responsibilities. In 1984, Julian  negotiated the largest record contract then held by an American orchestra, resulting in the production of over 50 recordings in a twelve-year span. 

Before leaving Orpheus in 1999, Julian positioned Orpheus as a organizational model to help corporations address employee motivation, problem-solving, and job satisfaction.  He has been engaged by leading multinational corporations to speak about creating and sustaining effective teamwork and enhancing creativity and quality.

Julian founded PollyRhythm Productions in 2000 with Bruce Adolphe. He is also President of the Venice Music Festival, an annual weekend of music and related events in Venice, Italy.