YOUTH JAZZ INTERNATIONAL
Our Coaches
Jacob Cortez
Program Director
Jacob Cortez is a highly sought after violinist and educator in the North Dallas area. Currently, he is Assistant Director of Orchestras at McKinney High School, and previously served as assistant director at Faubion Middle School. His students have earned earned consistent sweepstakes awards at UIL contests and received a National Mark of Excellence Award from the Foundation for Music Education. He also has taught at the collegiate level by teaching courses in string methods and jazz lessons for string players. Additionally, he served as the Teaching Assistant for the UNT Jazz String Lab where he arranged/orchestrated music for the ensemble and occasionally conducted. Jacob is a founding coach of Youth Jazz International.​
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As a multi-genre violinist, Jacob is comfortable playing jazz, classical, and other styles of violin playing. He performs with his jazz quintet in venues across DFW, specializing in playing jazz for swing dancers in collaboration with the Dallas Swing Dance Society and ‘Swingin at the Sons of Herman Hall’. He has performed and recorded with the Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band, and served as a concertmaster for the American Baroque Opera Company. Jacob has also been a soloist in the Bach’s Lunch concert series at the Church of Incarnation (Dallas, TX), has toured in Europe with Ensemble Fantasmi, and performed with the Oklahoma Bach Choir. Orchestrally, Jacob has performed with orchestras such as the Texas Music Festival Orchestra and the McKinney Philharmonic. As a session player, Jacob can be heard on tracks by Grammy Award winning artist, Karen Clark Sheard, and Jamison Ross.
Jacob earned Bachelor’s degrees in Classical Violin Performance and Music Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas.
Photo credits to Dorian Dayton
Lexi Moreno
Coach
Lexi Moreno is a Dallas-based multi-instrumentalist with a passion for music education and performance. Since 2018, he has been dedicated to shaping young musical minds as a private strings instructor around the metroplex. Lexi has taught students of all ages, encouraging creative problem-solving and musical experimentation to keep learning fun and refreshing.
From the age of 10, Lexi began his musical journey learning songs by ear on the radio. He honed his passion through the classical string instruments and guitar, leading him to UNT to begin his collegiate studies. In Denton, he found the opportunity to explore many styles of music that gave him a wider perspective. His experiences include classical performance, many rock and indie bands, the UNT Afro Cuban ensemble, the UNT Chinese ensemble, the UNT Jazz String lab, the Chinese folk music group Huo Feng Trio, and many recording sessions.
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Lexi has recorded music for composers Leon Lacey, Roy Cotton II, Quentin Moore, and various projects with friends. He has performed original works at the Dallas Contemporary Museum and the Nasher Sculpture Center. In 2024, he traveled to China to complete summer study abroad programs for Chinese folk music at Shangai Conservatory of Music, Huaqiao University in Xiamen, and Beijing’s China Soong Ching Ling Foundation summer traditional chamber music concert.
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Lexi's artistry extends beyond the classroom, as he actively contributes to the vibrant music scene in the DFW metroplex. With a rich and diverse musical background, he brings a unique perspective to his teaching, providing students with a well-rounded and enriching educational experience.
Lexi earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas.
Past Program Directors
Marijn Meijer
Violin, based in Utrecht, the Netherlands
@marijnmeijerviolin
Program Director, Youth Jazz International (2023–2025)
​Marijn Meijer is a violinist, composer, and educator from the Netherlands. A versatile musician trained in both classical and jazz traditions, he graduated with honors in Classical Music Performance from the Conservatory of Music in Utrecht and later earned his Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas, where he studied under acclaimed jazz violinist Scott Tixier.
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Through Tixier’s mentorship, Marijn became closely involved with the Chamber Music International Youth Ambassadors jazz initiative that later evolved into Youth Jazz International. As YJI’s first Program Director, he helped guide many classically trained young string players into the world of jazz and improvisation, shaping the artistic foundation of the organization during its early seasons.
Past Coaches
We are grateful to the exceptional musicians and educators who have generously shared their artistry and guidance with YJI students.
