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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I can confidently say that Tomas Cotik’s guidance and expertise helped transform my playing, and I am forever grateful for the invaluable musical foundation his patience and skill provided
Amanda Smith
PSU Alumna
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Professor Cotik consistently demonstrates his passion for teaching by tailoring to the individual student’s immediate needs and long term career goals
Viet Block
Master Student at PSU
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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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Tomás revolutionized the way that I physically approach my instrument, helping me finally recover from lifelong injuries and tension and play with more freedom, beauty, tone, and accuracy than ever before. I am so grateful to have finally found a teacher that knows how to help me approach my body and technique in a healthy way.
Zoe Schlussel
PSU Graduate Performance Certificate Alumna
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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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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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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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His teaching, recordings, and publications are informed by thoughtful study of the relevant scholarship. Lessons are challenging but always fun, and inspire me to make the most beautiful music possible.
Pamela A. Moro
Professor Emeritus at Willamette University
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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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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