Jacob Schafer is a multifaceted violinist dedicated to compelling and thoughtful performances of works old and new. Based in Houston, Texas, he is a core member of Loop38 and Kinetic Ensemble and regularly performs with the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Mercury Chamber Orchestra, Bach Society Houston, and Musiqa. Passionate about bringing music to audiences in both familiar and innovative contexts, he has performed at venues as diverse as the Houston Public Library, Houston’s Smither Park, the Aspen Art Museum, and New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Recent performances include world premieres by Du Yun, Steven Banks, and Laura Elise Schwendinger; piano trio concerts in Leipzig, Germany; and collaborations with Anthony McGill, Renée Fleming, and the late Leon Fleisher. In 2022, Jacob received Co-First Prize from the Doug Davis Awards for his performance of Michael Friedmann’s Fantasy for solo violin. Festival appearances have included Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, Norfolk New Music Workshop, Sarasota Music Festival, and Tanglewood Music Center.

Originally from Nashville, Tennessee, Jacob holds a BA in Music and in Ethics, Politics, and Economics from Yale University and an MM in Violin Performance from Rice University, where he is currently completing his DMA under the tutelage of Paul Kantor.