Staff & Luthiers

John M. Schultz, Owner - President & CEO

John holds a Master of Music degree from the Leonard Sorkin Institute of Chamber Music. While there he was a member of the Arreaux String Quartet. Prior to this he received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where he studied on full scholarship with Myron Kartman. A strong proponent of the Talent Education Method, John has studied Suzuki violin pedagogy with Nancy Jackson, Alice Joy Lewis, Mark Bjork, and has studied viola pedagogy with William Preucil. In addition to owning Schultz Strings, John has served on the faculty at the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City as well and as a faculty member at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, IA. John has developed many music festivals and is currently the executive director of the Corridor Honors Orchestra. When not teaching and administrating he often plays chamber music concerts throughout the corridor area and occasionally performs with Orchestra Iowa and other professional orchestras. Away from music John enjoys spending many happy hours participating as a member of Rotary International working in training, leadership development and youth exchange. He is also an avid cyclist recently completing a cross country ride from San Francisco to Virginia Beach with his wife Rebecca and two young children.

Rebecca R. Schultz, Owner - Vice President & COO

Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point where she studied Arts Management. She has also completed coursework towards a Masters in Accounting. Rebecca has worked for non-profits in the areas of fundraising and administration for both the arts and higher education. Some of the organizations include the Schauer Arts Center, Tucson Pima Arts Council (TPAC), Cornell College, and the University of Iowa Foundation. As a Co-Owner of Schultz Strings she worked behind the scenes from 2009 to 2014 while doing other full time work. In February 2014, Rebecca joined the Schultz Strings team full time doing HR Management, Accounting, IT, Inventory Management, and other administrative tasks. She spends her spare time traveling, practicing yoga, windjammer sailing, downhill skiing, and water skiing. Rebecca is a volunteer for the Rotary Youth Exchange program locally, regionally, and nationally. She is currently the treasurer for SCRYE (South Central Rotary Youth Exchange) as well as her own Rotary Club, the Rotary Club of Linn County.
 

Robbie Gearhart, School of Music Manager & Store Associate

Robbie Gearhart is a musician and composer whose work extends over multiple musical genres including classical, jazz, and musical theatre. He began playing violin at age nine through the Suzuki Program, and bass at age 13. He continued his private and orchestral studies through college, and graduated from St. Ambrose University with a bachelor’s degree in K-12 music education in 2018. Robbie has experience working with students ranging from four to 18 years old in private, small-group, and classroom settings. His approach to teaching is characterized by his ability to diagnose problem areas in students’ playing, and apply appropriate solutions through both comprehensible language and physical demonstration. In addition to his work with orchestral instruments, Robbie also plays guitar and bass in the indie pop band, “The Horse Theory.”
 

Hannah Howland Jacobs, Store & Educational Services Associate

​​​Hannah Howland Jacobs is a violinist and teacher based in the Iowa City area. She received her BM in violin performance from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Mark Bjork, and MM in violin performance from the University of Northern Iowa, where she studied with Dr. Ross Winter and Dr. Julia Bullard (viola). Having grown up studying violin at the UNI Suzuki School, she is a strong advocate for the Suzuki Method, and has studied Suzuki pedagogy with Mark Bjork, Joanne Melvin, and Martha Shackford. Currently, Hannah holds faculty positions at the UNI Suzuki School in Cedar Falls and the Preucil School of Music in Iowa City where she teaches violin and viola, leads group classes, and coaches chamber ensembles. She maintains an active schedule performing with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, the Southeast Iowa Symphony, and freelancing throughout eastern Iowa with various other ensembles and theatre productions. While perhaps most at home in the classical music genre, Hannah has a great love of the versatility of string instruments and enjoys exploring and collaborating on projects within other genres. She and her husband, Austin, violinist, guitarist, and orchestra teacher in the Iowa City Community School District, enjoy working on musical projects together, and recently recorded and released an album with their folk trio band, “From Afar.”
 

Nate Larson, Educational Services Associate

Nate Larson is a violin and violist from Decorah, IA. He completed coursework towards a Bachelor's Degree of the Arts, with a focus in Music Education, at the University of Northern Iowa and Luther College. Nate has been playing the violin since the age of seven and started playing the viola during high school. He has played with the Oneota Valley Community Orchestra, Northeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, and the Luther College Symphonic Orchestra. In his free time, Nate loves watching and collecting movies, tinkering with technology, and spending time with friends.

Clayton Stanek, Educational Services Representative

Clayton is a multifaceted pianist/keyboardist, touring musician, recording artist and composer.  He is versatile in many musical genres including classical, traditional world folk, blues and jazz, reggae to techno.  In addition to his musical experience he has honed his technical skills through hands-on experience in the art of piano repair, specializing in Steinway restoration and refurbishment. Music has been the center of Clayton’s education which he holds in high value.  Years of musical training such as classical piano with Bill Heald and Dr. Tim Lee, jazz studies at Kirkwood with Dr. Tim Feldkamp and Dr. Dan Knight, continuing piano lessons with Dr. Rene Lecuona of the University of Iowa and Dr. Adrian Kim of Mannes College, The New School of New York, has equipped Clayton with skills highly beneficial to the role of Education Service Representative. At Schultz Strings, Clayton continues to share his wealth of experience and expertise, offering not only a curated selection of premium string instruments but also personalized advice and services that cater to the unique needs of each musician.  With his deep-rooted passion for music and a commitment to fostering a thriving musical community, Clayton is dedicated to helping aspiring musicians and seasoned performers alike find their perfect instrument and cultivate their musical journey. In addition to his interest in stringed instrument repair/refurbishment, Clayton enjoys composing, performing, and studying different genres of music.  Clayton has toured and recorded extensively throughout the USA, Jamaica, and Italy, and has worked with acclaimed groups such as The Blue Man Group and Cirque du Soleil, most recently performing at the Inter Harmony Chamber Music Festival in Acqui-Terme Italy.
 

Lee Prostine, String Specialist/Luthier
 

Lee Prostine is currently studying music education at Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa. He first picked up the cello at three years old and has been actively engaging the greater corridor community through music ever since. For 13 years Lee studied at the Preucil School of Music, which provided him insightful training and reputable performance opportunities that led to successes such as 4 years at the All State music festival and a full scholarship to Coe College. As Lee studies at Coe he looks forward to fostering the musical capabilities of students at the Harmony school of Music through teaching. He joins Schultz Strings for a luthier apprenticeship to broaden his knowledge of the instruments he knows and loves.

Lisa Bejarno, Office Assistant

Lisa has a passion for both music and efficient organization, Lisa brings a deep appreciation for string instruments and a passion to see both youth and adults excel in their musical journey. Lisa is adept at fostering positive customer relationships and streamlining operational work flows. Lisa is committed to ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for all customers. Drawing from a long history of working with youth and families Lisa is excited to welcome customers and make sure they are satisfied. Lisa studied Theology, and Early Childhood education with a focus on music at Lincoln Christian University. Lisa began her love for music in elementary learning to play the flute. As an adult she learned to play piano. She also began learning Cello in 2017 studying with Tom Maples in Iowa City. Recently, she is also learning to play the violin to expand her knowledge and experience. Lisa continues with weekly lessons and daily practice of all her instruments. Lisa plays in the Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra and a small outreach ensemble. Lisa also plays the cello on the weekends at St. Pius X and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parishes and regularly plays for funerals at St Pius X.