Playing guitar is the dream of many kids growing up. I spent hours in my room as a teenager in Florida trying to master the licks of the guitar heroes of the 1970s. I know there are just as many kids, and former kids, trying to do the same here in the 21st century. My mission as your instructor is to help you eliminate much of the wasted time and effort that comes with learning a musical instrument. In any new endeavor there is always trial and error but I can help reduce the errors and, more importantly, the frustration, by demonstrating the proper techniques and shortcuts necessary to master those flavorful licks on Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” or Eric Clapton’s “Wonderful Tonight.” And most importantly, you’ll learn to make music…

I am a working musician who has been playing guitar professionally for over twenty-five years. In the 1980s I toured and recorded with the band Urgency and in the 90s I played guitar with Warner Brothers’ roots-rocker...

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Contemporary Vocal Performance at the University of Colorado Denver in 2009. I graduated summa cum laude (with highest honors) and won the Outstanding Graduate award from the College of Arts & Media. I even sang the National Anthem at my own graduation, in front of thousands of other graduates and their families, an honor usually reserved for faculty.

While earning my degree, I specialized in singing, songwriting and the recording arts. I also professionally competed in an honors a cappella group. During this time, I took a great deal of leadership and learned how to assist choir directors in warming up and teaching new vocal materials to large groups of students.

I learned how to get involved with my local community through producing musical events and have raised thousands of dollars for nonprofit organizations this way. Students of mine who choose to participate will be exposed to concert production and performance professionalism...

I've been exploring music since age 13 when I started with bass and guitar. I've gigged around the Puget Sound area with different types of bands, playing classic-rock styles, blues, big band, r&b, punk rock, reggae/ska/rocksteady and experimental/alternative styles. I've played in numerous college ensembles. Performance and songwriting are my school-related focus now, and I've developed a songwriting and vocal presence in the last two years. With nine years as a music student and five years as a private lessons teacher I've collected techniques and tips that help students achieve a strong supported presence with their instrument. I continually put myself in both teaching and learning environments. I currently attend college private lessons for voice and composition.

I am a professional guitarist and I perform with the popular Northwest Gypsy Jazz group, Pearl Django. I also am a founding member of Zazou, a Seattle based swing sextet and have my own trio that I play with as well.

I’m just crazy about the guitar, you can ask my wife, and I love teaching guitar almost as much as I love playing it. My goal as a teacher is to help people reach their musical potential and have fun at the same time. I have been giving private lessons for the past ten years, and in addition to lessons, I offer workshops and clinics at festivals, in schools and with the Seattle Jazz Guitar Society. My specialty is jazz and swing, particularly Gypsy Swing and performing these styles is how I make my living, but I have a solid foundation and years of experience playing in rock, blues and pop dance bands as well as playing and studying American folk music styles like ragtime, bluegrass and acoustic blues.

I am a self taught musician for the most part and am...

I am the drummer & percussionist for Juno Award-winning, Canadian band, The Paperboys, touring regularly in Europe as well as the US and Canada. I make my home in the historic Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, where I teach drummers of all ages. A proud endorser of Istanbul Agop Cymbals and Protection Racket Drum Cases, I also perform regularly with several other local bands including Cordaviva, Sí Limón, and in musical theatre productions. My passion lies in creating, performing, experiencing, and teaching music of all styles. My greatest influences have been traveling, going to concerts, and listening to a lot of records during college.

EDUCATION:
Growing up in Southern California, I began taking private drum lessons at age 8 and continued through high school. In 2003 I moved to the Pacific Northwest to attend the University of Puget Sound where I performed in Percussion Ensemble, Underground Jazz, some small jazz combos, and a high-energy funk band made up of 7 good...

Teaching Summary
Jakob has been teaching students of all ages for over a decade. He strives to motivate and inspire his students to become great musicians. Jakob’s teaching method is fun and easy to understand. His students learn proper technique, music theory, how to read music, play in a band, play their favorite songs, and how to practice efficiently to improve on their instrument in a shorter amount of time.
Genres
Rock, Blues, Alternative, Classical, Jazz, Country, Folk, Bluegrass
Education
Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance - University of Wyoming
Associate of Science in Recording Arts - Full Sail University
Professional Experience
The Relentless Rhythm Machine (rock/blues band),
Gone South (country/rock band), UW Jazz Band 1,
The Weatherside Whiskey Band (bluegrass/country band)
Solo Classical Performer, Gone South Recording Studio
Teaching Experience
Jakob is currently an instructor at the Roberts Music Institute, The Ballard Academy of Music,...