Hometown:
Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
Education:
Freiburg Conservatory, Bachelor of Music (2025)
Freiburg Conservatory, Master of Music (2027)
Bio:
German-American violinist Jakob Schmidt, from Oak Park, Illinois, studied with Jennifer Cappelli and performed with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra before moving to Germany to study at the Freiburg Conservatory with Professor Gottfried von der Goltz. He is pursuing a master’s degree with Professors Gottfried von der Goltz and Julia Schröder and has recently performed at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg with the Junge Deutsche Philharmonie.
What inspired you to become a musician?
Hearing great performances.
Name your favorite composers and/or pieces:
Beethoven, Brahms, Prokofiev. My favorite concert experiences have been performing and listening to Beethoven.
What is an interesting fact about you and/or your instrument?
At age 12, I danced an Irish jig while playing violin with Igudesman & Joo, accompanied by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Center.
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Anything outdoors, particularly hiking or throwing frisbee.
Why did you choose the NRO?
NRO stood out to me because it plays more repertoire than a typical festival, giving me the chance to push myself and grow as a musician. I’m excited for the orchestral experience—and the mountains are a nice bonus.