Meet the Owners — Dr. Antonius Bittmann & Valentina Jotovic
Cy-Fair Music and Arts is co-owned by Dr. Antonius Bittmann and Valentina Jotovic, a husband-and-wife team and co-CEOs of three performing arts institutions: Cy-Fair Music and Arts (Cypress, TX), Music Academy of Texas (Katy, TX) and Hunterdon Academy of the Arts (Flemington, NJ). They became music entrepreneurs in 2006 and acquired CFMA in 2020.
Co-CEOs of three performing arts schools · European + American conservatory training · Music entrepreneurs since 2006 · Acquired CFMA in 2020.
Welcome to Cy-Fair Music and Arts!
We are delighted that you are considering award-winning Cy-Fair Music and Arts in Houston as a distinguished institution for your children to embark on their artistic journey. You may be wondering, "Why should I select CFMA over other available options in the area?" Amidst a myriad of compelling reasons, one truly stands out: CFMA is under the co-ownership and oversight of two remarkable individuals who are not only accomplished entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals in the realm of music but also esteemed educators— Valentina Jotovic and Dr. Antonius Bittmann.
As the Co-CEOs of multiple prestigious performing arts institutions, Jotovic and Bittmann form an exceptional husband-and-wife team. They have dedicated their hearts, souls, and extensive professional acumen to the creation of a distinct afterschool program. Bittmann and Jotovic share a noble mission: to acquaint students of all age groups with the delights of the performing arts, while concurrently imparting a wide spectrum of invaluable life skills. These skills encompass nurturing confidence, bolstering self-esteem, cultivating goal-setting abilities, fostering unwavering perseverance, honing social finesse, and promoting the spirit of teamwork.
Educational lineage: Europe and United States
As seasoned musicians, Bittmann and Jotovic received their extensive training at leading European Conservatories before completing advanced studies at renowned performing arts institutions in the United States. Drawing from the rich traditions of both European and American music training, they leveraged their comprehensive education and profound insights into the music profession when they embarked on their journey as music entrepreneurs and business owners in 2006.
Bittmann and Jotovic currently oversee three expansive performing arts schools. In addition to Cy-Fair Music and Arts, they also own award-winning Music Academy of Texas in Katy, TX, as well as award-winning Hunterdon Academy of the Arts in Flemington, NJ. Over the years, countless families and students have borne witness to the profound, transformative benefits that these institutions provide for their students.
Why choose a school whose owners are credentialed musicians?
Most after-school music programs are run by franchisees or general operators. CFMA is owned and led by two professional musicians who together hold a DMA, a PhD, and Masters from Eastman and Rutgers — and who have personally taught, performed, and built music schools for almost two decades. The people setting standards on the inside of the school are the ones whose names are on the door.
Dr. Antonius Bittmann — Co-CEO & Co-Owner
Education. Antonius began his professional music training at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Freiburg (Germany), where he earned a Bachelor of Music (1988) and Master of Music (1991) in organ performance. He moved to the United States in 1991 to pursue doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, NY), where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Organ Performance and Literature (1994), a Master of Arts in Musicology (1991), a Master of Music in Harpsichord Performance and Literature (1999), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Musicology (2001), supported by competitive scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Performance career. As a prize-winning organ recitalist, Antonius has performed in cathedrals and concert halls across Europe, Japan, and the United States. In 1989 he won First Prize and the Audience Prize at the prestigious Internationale Orgelwoche Nürnberg (ION) and First Prize at the Hochschul-Wettbewerb in Organ Performance, Freiburg. He is featured on five CD recordings and has produced live recordings for German radio. Scholarly work. Antonius's musicological work includes a book and journal articles focused on German composer Max Reger and on historical performance practice, with conference and guest-lecture appearances at major universities.
Higher education leadership. Appointed Assistant Professor at Rutgers University's Mason Gross Music Department in 1999, he taught music history, organ, and harpsichord at undergraduate and graduate levels. Tenured in 2005, he became Chair of the Music Department and later Associate Vice President of Online Programs, managing Rutgers Online operations for over eight years.
NASM evaluator. Antonius has served as an evaluator for the National Association of Schools of Music, reviewing programs at Kent State, Syracuse, Louisiana State, Ohio State, and others — knowledge that directly informs CFMA's standards.
Recent recognition. In 2025 his essay on "The Benefits of Musical Learning" was featured in Living Magazine's "Ask the Expert" series.
Valentina Jotovic — Co-CEO & Co-Owner
European training and performance. Growing up in Serbia, Valentina started flute at age 8 and joined her first dance ensemble at 10. By 18 she had toured Spain, Switzerland, Denmark, Ukraine, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Belgium and the Netherlands, won regional music competitions, and earned admission to the University of Arts in Belgrade — graduating with a Bachelor's in Flute Performance (2000). She studied for a year at the Franz Liszt Conservatory in Budapest on scholarship, then completed her Master's in Flute Performance at Rutgers University (2005). She speaks three languages.
Education career. Valentina taught private music lessons and group classes for over eight years before transitioning to full-time school ownership. She is certified in two early-childhood music programs, Kindermusik and Musikgarten.
Earlier life. From 1996–1999, Valentina worked at Serbian National Television as one of its youngest music program editors and reporters, interviewing musicians and celebrities. In March 1999, weeks after she was asked to join the TV anchor team, the building where she worked was bombed and 16 of her colleagues and friends were killed. Surviving the Balkan wars taught Valentina lessons about grit, trauma, and perseverance that shape her leadership today.
Business credentials. Valentina is a Certified Profit First Professional, trained in financial strategies for sustainable arts-school operations. She has consulted with leading music-business coaches including Marty Fort, Dan Kennedy, and Clint Salter, and has applied research on psychology, brain development, and operations to growing her three-school network.
Pedagogical leadership. She has consulted directly with Professor Branton Shearer at Kent State University, one of the leading authorities on applying Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory in educational settings — a framework that now guides every CFMA classroom.
Recent recognition. Featured in 2025 in Living Magazine's "Leading Women" series. Named "Entrepreneur of the Year" 2016 by the Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce (NJ) and one of the Top 10 Hunterdon County Movers & Shakers of 2016 by Hunterdon Happening.
Yes. Both owners are active in teacher selection, curriculum, and program direction at CFMA, Music Academy of Texas, and Hunterdon Academy of the Arts.
For substantive questions about programs, teacher selection, or partnerships, parents are welcome to reach the owners through our front office. Call (281) 855-8855.
