Javier Otalora
Violin, Viola
"Have you ever wanted to play your favorite tunes from the radio but you’re not sure how? What about showing off your musical prowess to family and friends at holiday gatherings? Or perhaps you already play, but are eager to get better for the sake of getting better? Well, look no further! I’m Javier Otalora, and I am delighted to teach you the violin and viola!"
Highlights
- All Levels
- Master's Degree
- Speaks English, Spanish
- Specialty: Orchestra, Chamber, Contemporary
- Teaches all genres
- Ages: 3+
About The Teacher
Otalora began his music studies when he was six years old playing the violin. He received his bachelor’s degree from Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he studied violin with Gregory Fulkerson and Sibbi Bernhardsson, and viola with Kirsten Docter and Peter Slowik. He received his master’s degree from University of Michigan where he studied viola with Caroline Coade on full scholarship.
When Otalora is not practicing his quarter notes, he is eating pizza with friends or eating pizza with beer.Otalora is very grateful to be playing on a viola by David Carón and bow by Paul Siefried, on generous loan from the Virtu Foundation.
Otalora is a passionate music educator with violin and viola studios in Oberlin, Ann Arbor, and Cincinnati. As a recipient of the Martin L. King Career Grant, Otalora was able to travel to Panama and lead a chamber program at the University of Panama for two summers. Otalora is also Suzuki Certified for violin and strongly believes in Shinichi Suzuki’s teaching philosophy, where every child or person can attain musical abilities as long as they are properly trained and lovingly nourished.
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music – Artist Diploma, Viola Performance
University of Michigan – Master’s: Music, Viola Performance
Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music – Bachelor’s: Music, Violin Performance
Colombian-American Javier Otalora is an enthusiastic orchestral, chamber, and contemporary music player. He has performed with the Dallas Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony, Lansing Symphony, Aspen Conducting Orchestra, the International Contemporary Ensemble, and University of Michigan’s Contemporary Directions Ensemble. He is also a substitute violist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Otalora has spent summers at the Aspen Music Festival, Meadowmount School, Red Rocks Music Festival, the Dali Quartet International Music Festival, and Spoleto Festival (USA).
