Jacob van der Sloot started playing violin under the instruction of his mother and father, Daphne and Michael van der Sloot, when he was 5. He then switched to viola with his Father when he was 13 and was accepted to the Juilliard school to study with Steven Tenenbom, where he would earn his Bachelors degree in 2019. Shortly after his undergraduate studies, Jacob began his professional career with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra in 2020. In addition to starting his professional career with the VSO, Jacob was recently named one of Canada’s top young musicians in CBC’s 30 under 30 list, and has become a well sought-after violist in the Canadian music scene.
Growing up in Victoria BC, Jacob had the opportunity to solo with the Sidney Classical, Sooke Philharmonic and the VCM Senior string orchestras, praised for his “..deep, rich sound with flying colours.” (Times Colonist, Canada) Jacob has gone on to perform in halls around the world such as Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall and Alice Tully hall in New York City, Museo Del Violino in Cremona, Bing Concert Hall in Stanford and the Bejing Conservatory Concert Hall, among others. He has enjoyed dedicating his summers to the study of music with internationally renowned faculty at programs such as the Perlman Music Program, Morningside Music Bridge, the NAC’s Young Artist Program, Banff International Masterclass Program, PRISMA Music Festival, Casalmaggiore Festival in Italy and a fellowship at the Bowdoin Music Festival. Jacob also made his solo Carnegie debut in 2019 playing the Brahms E-flat Major viola sonata as part of Julie Jordan’s “International Rising Stars” concert series.
An avid chamber musician, Jacob was part of the Noctis Quartet, which won second place at the Fischoff Chamber Music Competition and the WDAV Young Artists Competition. In 2021, Jacob joined the roster of the internationally renowned Vancouver Chamber Music Society, and performs frequently as a chamber musician in the VSO Chamber Series concerts. He also greatly enjoysprivate teaching, and is currently on faculty at the Vancouver Academy of Music and VSO School of Music.
Jacob’s orchestral journey began with the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra. He has since played with the Juilliard Orchestra, the Juilliard Lab Orchestra, the National Arts Centre Orchestra and Principal Violist of both the Sidney Classical Orchestra and the New York Concerti Sinfonietta. Jacob joined the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as a full time member in 2020 and is happy to call Vancouver his home.
