Jacob K. TakeLessons Instructor music, Piano, jazz, classical, improvisation, composition, theory W Glenn Dr, Phoenix, AZ

At the age of 4 Jacob began studying classical piano. At age 5 he gave his first piano recital and before entering high school he won over 10 classical piano competitions (including the Arizona Yamaha Piano Competition). 

In high school he devloped a new passion for jazz and improvisation. He began working professionally in the Phoenix area from the age of 14, playing with the finest jazz musicians in the valley including Dennis Roland, Jesse Mcguire, Margo Reid, Dwight Killian, Dom Moio, and Fred Forney. He also began teaching for Yamaha Music School while still in high school.

He attended Arizona State University on a full jazz scholarship and studied under Chuck Mahronic. 

He has also studied privately with world class pianists such as Kenny Werner, Fred Hersch and Uri Caine and has performed all around the globe with the likes of Mark Dresser, Terrence Blanchard, Tony Malaby and Martin Denny.

Jacob enjoys teaching students of all ages and levels. He has a lot of patience working with beginners and a wealth of expertise to help even advanced pianists achieve a higher level of musicianship. He specializes in technique, ear training, sight-reading, posture, harmony, composition, theory, accompanying and improvisation. 

Jacob has been teaching and playing piano professionally for 14 years. He began his teaching career with Yamaha Music School as a Certified Yamaha Piano Instructor. He has done many workshops at high schools and universities throughout Arizona and the US including ASU, University of California, Texas Tech University, Houston University and University of Texas. As a pianist he has traveled the world performing with notable musicians Martin Denny, Terrence Blanchard, Bobby Shew and Butch Miles. He currently performs several nights a week in the valley as a soloist, accompanist and with various sized ensembles. He is also the fulltime pianist at Crossroads United Methodist Church.

Jacob works with each student on accomplishing personal goals. He teaches classical, jazz and popular repertoire. He believes playing piano can be fun and rewarding at the same time. He works with students on music they enjoy while broadening their knowledge by introducing them to different styles of music.

jazz, classical, contemporary, latin, popular

music, Piano, jazz, classical, improvisation, composition, theory