Jacob Burk is an award-winning violist, educator, and creative entrepreneur dedicated to reshaping the role of music in both personal and public life. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Music degree at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studies with internationally acclaimed violist Atar Arad.
As a performer, Jacob has appeared across the United States with ensembles such as the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, Opera Delaware, Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s Conducting Institute Orchestra, the Las Colinas Symphony, and the San Angelo Symphony. Jacob has also performed within various string quartets. His solo performances, recognized for their emotional depth and “otherworldly sound”, have been featured by The Violin Channel and the international relief series Music for Food. He has also been acknowledged in several national and international competitions.
A passionate educator, Jacob is a certified Suzuki instructor and maintains an active private studio in the Northeast and Midwest, where his students have gone on to earn scholarships, receive recognition in competitions, and perform as soloists. His teaching philosophy centers on deep listening, expressive autonomy, and emotional connection which are principles shaped by his research on the intersection of music and mental health. His IRB-approved study, The Effects of Community-Based Creativity on Anxiety and Depression, has been presented at national conferences like the College Music Society and directly informs his outreach and pedagogy.
Jacob is also the founder of Arcpoint Creative LLC, a digital media and strategy studio for artists. Its flagship series, Arcpoint Sessions, presents filmed conversations with performers and creators that explore the realities of pursuing a life in music, from artistic breakthroughs to economic challenges. The project reflects Jacob’s commitment to transparency, community, and storytelling in the classical world.
Whether performing in a concert hall or leading expressive workshops in underserved communities, Jacob approaches music as a catalyst for empathy, growth, and belonging. He performs on a rare Nicolas Audinot viola generously loaned by the Virtu Foundation. Learn more at www.jacobburk.com
