Monte Vista Strings & Jazz
Founded in 2003 by violinist Andrew Small and a trio of colleagues from the San Antonio Symphony, Monte Vista Strings and Jazz has evolved into one of the Austin – San Antonio – Texas Hill Country region’s most respected musical performance and entertainment companies.
Consistently garnering rave reviews from brides, wedding planners, church music directors, venue managers,
regional media, and colleagues in the music industry, MVSJ retains the commitments to artistic integrity and customer service that were the basis of its founding.
The individual member musicians of MVSJ hold advanced degrees from the world’s finest music colleges and conservatories, including Juilliard, the New England Conservatory, and Philadelphia’s Curtis Institute of Music. All MVSJ string and wind players are tenured members of the San Antonio and/or Austin (for Austin area events) Symphony Orchestras…a bench mark of artistic achievement.
ANDREW SMALL (Violin, Viola). MVSJ Founder and Managing Director, San Antonio Symphony First Violinist; Juilliard School; City University of New York. Staff Musician, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church.
In addition to countless years of wedding and special event experience, MVSJ musicians have performed in the major music capitals of Europe, Asia, and the US in venues from Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall to London’s Royal Albert Hal, Amsterdam’s Concertgebuow, and New York’s Broadway.
Recent collaborative performances include work with artists Stevie Wonder, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Placido Domingo, Rod Stewart, Lady Gaga, Tito Puente, Al Jarreau, and Dionne Warwick.
MVSJ musicians share a passion for both pristine music making and a magical customer/audience experience at every MVSJ event.
Individual Member Musicians
Beth (Violin)
San Antonio Symphony First Violinist; Austin Symphony Second Violinist; Oberlin Conservatory; Eastman School of Music
Sayaka (Violin/Viola)
San Antonio Symphony 2nd Violinist; Curtis Institute of Music
Lauren (Viola)
San Antonio Symphony Violist; Cleveland Institute; Rice University
Stacey (Violin)
San Antonio Symphony Violinist; Carnegie Mellon University
Morgen (Cello)
San Antonio Symphony Cellist; Juilliard School; Rice University
Jean (Flute)
San Antonio Symphony Associate Principal Flutist; Oberlin Conservatory
Ray (Guitar & Spanish Guitar)
Nicole (Piano / Organ / Catholic Mass Specialist)
Beth (Violin)
San Antonio Symphony First Violinist; Cincinnati Conservatory of Music
Rachel (Harp)
San Antonio Symphony Principal Harpist; Oberlin Conservatory
Edlyn (Vocalist)
Vocalist; Faculty Member, Alamo Community College District; Manhattan School of Music
Steve (Bass)
San Antonio Symphony Bassist; Curtis Institute of Music
Brian (Guitar)
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music; Santa Fe Opera Orchestra Guitarist; St. Luke’s Episcopal School Music Director
Jordan (Jazz Pianist)
University of Minnesota
Lachezar (Cello)
San Antonio Symphony Cellist; Rice University
Stephanie (Violin)
Yale University; San Antonio Symphony 2nd Violinist
John (Organ)
Westminster Choir College; Choir Master; Professional Organist; Member American Guild of Organists
Ben (Cello)
Austin Symphony Cellist; University of Texas at Austin
Jennifer (Catholic Mass Cantor)
“Mike and I would like to thank you for doing such a wonderful job during our wedding ceremony.
You were very professional in your approach and we certainly appreciate it and know that the Mission San Jose appreciated it as well. You were so polite to work with and we knew that we were in good hands. All of our guests raved about the music and we are so thrilled about the outcome. The music is the best I have heard anywhere. Thank you again for being a delightful person to work with. We wish you well in the future and we thank you again for delivering the most beautiful music we could have possibly asked for during one of the most important days in our lives.”