/
about jesus
Dr. Jesus Apodaca joined the Music Faculty of the University of Texas at El Paso in Fall 2023 and is an active educator, freelance orchestral bassist, and soloist.
As an orchestral double bassist, Jesus was previously Principal Bass of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, a position he won in 2015. Jesus has performed with many orchestras including Symphony in C, the Annapolis Symphony, the Maryland Symphony, the Fairfax Symphony, the Occasional Symphony, New Prism Ensemble, and as guest principal with the Washington Chamber Orchestra. Jesus has previously been a member of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra and the Orquesta Sinfónica de la UACJ.
As a soloist, Jesus has performed solo recitals at the Miriam A. Friedberg Concert Hall, and Leith Symington Griswold Hall at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD. He has appeared as a soloist performing the Koussevitzky Double Bass Concerto with orchestra at the Peabody Conservatory with conductor Jaime Reeves. Jesus has been guest Principal Bass with the Washington Chamber Orchestra in performances of Stravinsky’s Pulcinella.
Jesus maintains a private studio of talented elementary, middle school, and high school students as well as college graduates working toward auditioning for graduate schools.
Jesus plays a Trevor Davis double bass, built for him by Trevor in 2017.
Education
Dr. Apodaca earned the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland under the tutelage of National Symphony Orchestra double bassist Ira Gold.
Jesus studied with world renowned pedagogue Paul Ellison in Houston, TX prior to his studies at the Peabody Conservatory.
Jesus has attended Domaine Forget, Orford Music Academy, DC Bass, Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute and was chosen as one of five full scholarship students to study with Jeff Bredetich at the Pirastro Strings Elite Soloists Program in Denton, TX. He has had additional studies with François Rabbath, David Moore, Nicholas Walker, Scott Dixon, and Ali Yazdanfar and earned a Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Texas at El Paso.
/
Private Lessons
In addition to teaching the double bass students of the University of Texas at El Paso, Jesus maintains a successful studio of private students. Lessons are available for students of all ages and abilities.
Lessons are $60 per one-hour lesson for weekly students (4 lessons per month), or bi-weekly students (2 lessons per month).
To schedule lessons with Dr. Apodaca, email apodacajesus@gmail.com
/
clinician
Dr. Apodaca would love to work with your school orchestra! He has worked with many elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools, and has himself previously been a middle school orchestra director and earned multiple UIL Sweepstakes awards. His students consistently earn top chairs at All-Region auditions.
Whole Orchestra Clinic (listen to your group, provide feedback, work with entire group)
Bass Sectionals (work on orchestra music)
All-Region Workshops (work with basses as a group)
Solo and Ensemble Clinic (work with your bass soloists or with chamber groups)
Individual Lessons for your bass students
To have Dr. Apodaca work with your students, email apodacajesus@gmail.com
/
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
Jesus teaches double bass and Music Technology at the University of Texas at El Paso in beautiful El Paso, Texas.
studying Double bass at utep
Students may pursue Undergraduate and Graduate degrees at the University of Texas at El Paso. Students whose primary instrument is double bass will receive one individual private lesson per week, particulate in our weekly studio class, and have opportunities to perform in one of our many ensembles (Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band 1, Jazz Band 2, and the Commercial Music Ensemble). The double bass studio consists of between 12-15 students. The double bass studio focuses on classical solo repertoire, standard orchestral literature and excerpts, and improving technique on the instrument. The environment of the double bass studio is highly supportive and encouraging to one another.
Undergraduate studies
Students may choose to major or minor in music.
Music Major degrees include Music Education, Music Performance, Commercial Music., and Music Technology. All of these majors include private lessons and participation in our ensembles.
Students who wish to pursue a Music Minor degree that includes lessons and performing in the Orchestra or other ensembles should pursue the Applied Music Minor.
graduate studies
Students may pursue the Master of Music degree at UTEP. Teaching Assistantships are available for qualified students.
