Nik Jakob

Nik Jakob, a Switzerland native, earned his degree in piano pedagogy at the Zürich Conservatory for Music. He is a licensed and certified piano instructor with SMPV, Switzerland's national association for music teachers.

Nik has over 10 years of teaching experience. He has taught students between ages 5 and 70, in public schools as well as in private settings. From 1996 until 2001, he taught piano and string bass at JMP School of Music, a community music school near Zurich, before moving to Iowa, where his wife is from. He works currently as an independent piano teacher.

"The primary goal of my teaching is to help students discover that playing the piano is a fulfilling and fun endeavor. As a teacher, my mission is to teach students who want to learn how to learn. My role as the teacher is not to prescribe a curriculum, but to offer choices to the student and parents with regard to the selection of music style. I will give recommendations, but the ultimate decision is the student's."

Professional memberships include MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), NFMC (National Federation of Music Clubs) and ICIPT (Iowa City Independent Piano Teachers), from which he continues to gain valuable support and continuing education.