Viola Lessons

Like the violin, the viola is a great introduction to music for any age student. At Stomp Music, you will receive a traditional viola education mixed with modern techniques that make it fun and easy. The viola is slightly larger than the violin and is a lower pitched instrument (mid-range).

Viola Teachers

A San Antonio Native, Jacob Cortez enjoys teaching string students of all ages ranging from early childhood to adult. He regularly performs with ensembles around DFW, Austin, and San Antonio. Currently, Jacob is a principal violinist in the UNT Symphony and a principal member of the UNT Baroque Ensemble where he has been featured as a soloist. He has performed with the Cactus Pear Music Festival young artist's program, the Texas Music Festival (2014 & 2015), Oregon Bach Festival, and Boston Early Music Festival

Notable artists Jacob has worked with include, Lucie Robert (Manhattan School of Music), Nathan Olson (Co-Concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony), Frank Huang (Concertmaster of New York Philharmonic), Leon Spierer (former Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic), and Cynthia Roberts (Julliard Baroque). Jacob's teaching philosophy revolves around string pedagogical techniques and creative expression. Jacob is currently teaching with the UNT String Project and occasionally teaches with the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio Summer Symphony Camp. As a current member of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Jacob has been the recipient of two TMEA Scholarships and is the 1st prize winner of the 2015 TMEA College Essay Contest. His essay on the Occupational Health Risks in Elementary Music Education was the only undergraduate paper to be recognized and has been acknowledged in the Southwestern Musician magazine.

Jacob is currently finishing undergraduate degrees in Violin Performance and Music Education from the University of North Texas where he is under the tutelage of renowned pedagogue, Julia Bushkova.

I started playing the violin when my family moved to Moscow in 1999. Since then my education
has been focused mainly on music.The first music school I attended was Gnesin Moscow State
Music School. From the beginning of elementary school I was required to take an additional
instrument on a performance level, and I chose the piano. I participated in different competitions
and festivals in Russia as a piano performer. After finishing the middle school I went to Moscow
State Academic Music College of Tchaikovsky Moscow State Conservatory. As a violinist, I
participated in the college competitions and international festivals in Austria, Greece and Turkey. I
started my Bachelor's degree at the Moscow State Music Academy of Maimonida and after two years I
transferred to the Moscow State Musical Pedagogical Institute of Ippalitov-Ivanov. In 2011, I
participated in the International Competition in Ukraine for the young performers where I received
a diploma of recognition. The following year I won a second prize in the International Competition
in Italy "Music XXI century." During my undergrad, I was teaching at an elementary music school.
To pursue my Master's degree, in 2014, I came to United States to study at University of North
Texas in Professor Julia Bushkova's studio. In addition, I have a TA position at UNT. Since my related
field is Early Music Instruments I have been performing several concertos with the Baroque
Orchestra as a soloist. In fall 2015, I won a Concerto Competition at UNT. In March 2016, I
performed Sibelius Violin Concerto with UNT symphony orchestra. For the next two years I will be
doing Graduate Artist Certificate at UNT.