WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTION IN OREGON’S PERFORMING ARTS CAPITAL
Located in the heart of Portland’s performing arts district, the School of Music & Theater at Portland State University is an extraordinary place to realize your potential as a performing artist. Our world-renowned faculty of performers, composers, and scholars is deeply engaged with the community and dedicated to student success. We will challenge you to grow and excel personally and musically as we prepare you to be the next generation of world-changing teachers, performers, scholars, composers, and arts advocates
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what I found most impactful of his teaching, was the attention to the importance of how we use our bodies while playing. Achieving your most beautiful sound consisted of teaching your body to release any tension and learning to play effortlessly.
Yesenia Campos Wong
Former student at West Texas A&M University
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Tomas has helped me begin to understand how my whole body affects my sound. He’s taught me that I am my own teacher and that practicing is a process of exploration and discovery.
Noah Carr
age 14
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Tomás is a rigorous, encouraging, and playfully creative teacher. He balances deep attention to technical and musical concerns, emphasizing body mechanics while insisting on the ear as the ultimate guide.
Pamela A. Moro
Professor Emeritus at Willamette University
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Dr. Cotik’s unyielding work ethic and subsequent success as an artist and educator is inspiring and motivating for his students
Patricia Jancova
Former Student at the University of Miami
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Tomás Cotik believes that each student, no matter where they are at, can make a significant progress given the right tools which he provides without fail.
Tetyana Zlatova
Junior student at PSU
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During a master class in Round Top, Dr. Cotik helped us discover all the cues we can give our body to find a new way to relax and develop a more economic use of the body. I have been practicing yoga for several years now and his simple approach to Alexander Technique was a great enhancement to my playing, body awareness and energy expenditure.
Karim Ayala Pool
Student at Round Top Festival
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Dr.Cotik is an excellent violinist and teacher. His teaching approach helped me to understand how to practice more effectively. I am so glad I can study with him at PSU!
Shawn Wu
Master Student at PSU
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He has very high expectations and his work ethic is extraordinary. Dr. Cotik has helped me to truly listen to my own sound, and he has taught me that you can be the best teacher of yourself
Shion Yamakawa
Master Student at PSU
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In studying with Tomas my seemingly impossible barriers have evolved into possible, attainable goals. He has revived my understanding as to why practicing “the basics” is the way we truly improve our overall skill, musicality and confidence. I’m extremely grateful that my music students will also organically benefit from the strength that he has helped me cultivate.
Monica Belzer
5-8 Grade Orchestra Director in David Douglas School District
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Studying with Prof. Cotik has helped me build more confidence in my playing and actually liking the sound I produce on my instrument
Hunter Haynes
Junior Student at PSU