Justin Jacobs
Pianist, Teacher, Accompanist, Music Director

Since even before beginning piano lessons myself as a young child, I have had an enormous passion for classical piano music. My passion, particularly of Chopin’s music, has brought me to Poland twice and to New York City, where I studied for 15 years. Over the years, my musical interests have branched out to include chamber music, opera, music theatre and early jazz. My wish is to share my love of the piano with my students, and to give them the skills with which to play beautifully. 

 

I have been teaching the piano for over 25 years. I specialise in teaching children (from age 3, up) and adults at all levels. I hold a current "Working with Children" Check in Melbourne, and have a similar check from New York City. I am a fully accredited member of the Victorian Music Teachers' Association.

 

I teach my students to have a very strong ability to read music. I design an individual program for each student, based on his/her interests and goals. I pride myself on my patient and caring attitude, and always teach at my students' pace of understanding.

 

My teaching of piano technique is strongly influenced by the work of Dorothy Taubman. I studied the Taubman Approach to piano playing for 15 years in New York, in weekly lessons with Edna Golandsky, and now continue my studies with her online. The Taubman Approach emphasizes the development of a healthy, co-ordinate technique, leading to ease and brilliance. At the same time, it prevents and can cure fatigue and playing-related injuries such as tendonitis, repetitive stress injury, and carpal tunnel syndrome.