Maria Jacobs

As much as Maria loves to perform, she has also found great joy in educating people of all ages in the history of American music. That is, jazz and blues and of course the Great American songbook. She also loves teaching young people to become lifelong learners.

She herself went back to school much later in life to earn a second degree. The first one was in journalism, this second one was in music education with a minor in education. She did this at Kent State University where she graduated cum laude.  Five short years later she found herself the adjunct professor of applied vocal jazz, there at her second alma mater. In addition to leading her own private voice studio she also codirected the Nova Jazz Singers and directed the Nova Jazz Workshop Singers for a time. She wrote and arranged material for them in four part jazz harmony.

Maria is also a licensed music educator for pre-K through 12th grade. With her credentials she has taught general music to elementary and junior high school students, and directed high school choirs leading the Hoban High School Concert Choir to the OMEA competition, where they received an excellent rating.  

Maria continues to utilize her credentials in after school and summer music programs in Cleveland and Akron's inner cities through the Open Tone Music Academy, a global nonprofit organization.  In addition to all of this, she continues to teach both virtual and in person students from her home studio.

In addition to her academic degrees, Maria earned a brilliant education from some world renowned voice teachers, including Brazilian Pop and jazz vocalist Kevyn Lettau, Roland Wyatt, (voice coach of the Manhattan Transfer) and Marni Nixon, ghost singer for Natalie Wood in West Side Story, among others.

Please watch the videos here to learn more about Maria’s teaching style. If you are interested in private voice lessons please call 310-251-3441.

KEVYN LATTEU,  Brazilian Pop and jazz vocalist and jazz vocal educator. www.kevynlettau.com

   "Maria was my student many years ago. She has been honing her craft

and artistry with passion and conviction! I recommend her singing and teaching!!!"

MARILYN SCOTT, American Jazz vocalist and jazz vocal educator. www.marilynscott. com

"Maria has the expertise and experience needed in the educational field of a vocal

educator. Her connection to the musical world is well respected."

STUDENT REVIEWS

"I've had the honor to perform on Broadway, Off-Broadway, all over the country and internationally during my 36 year career. In addition, I've done film, television and commercials. Out of many voice teachers through my career, Maria Jacobs philosphy and approach to teaching is one of the best experiences I have ever had. Besides her talent as a teacher, she's a caring and wonderful human being." - Steven Scionti

"I have been studying voice with Maria Jacobs for four semesters and she has taught me so much. In addition to voice lessons, I recently began songwriting, and she has shown a deep understanding of the artistic process as well as helped me through creaive dry spells." - Megan Gurtner

"I've been with Maria for four semesters at Kent State. She helped me improve my vocal technique, and my range has increased since I've been working with her. My lower range is immensely better, and she taught me how to sing with correct form." - Mai Geri

"Maria Jacobs is always bringing new and wonderful material to each lesson. Over the last three years I have expanded my repertoire to include jazz standards on top of the pop and musical theater already in my book. My technique has improved in breath support and vowel placement, and I am stylistically much more versatile than I was before. I had never imagined singing jazz, but now it is one of my favorite things to perform!" - Cameron Olin