Teaching Artist Statement
Music serves as a powerful bond within communities, helping us navigate life's complexities. My teaching philosophy centers on creating an environment where students can explore their musical potential, set and achieve ambitious goals, all while embarking on a vibrant musical journey that enriches and fortifies our collective selves.
Teaching Bio
Jacob Clapper is a dedicated pianist and music instructor with a deep passion for nurturing musical talent. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University-Commerce and later completed a Master of Music degree, with a concentration in piano performance at the University of Florida. Jacob's teaching journey began in 2011 during his time as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Florida, where he taught undergraduate courses in piano skills. Since then, he has been committed to sharing his expertise in piano performance and improvisation with students of all levels.
From 2015, Jacob has served as Music Director for the Unitarian Universalist All Souls Church in Braintree, where he has demonstrated his dedication to nurturing musical communities. Jacob served as a collaborative pianist at Duxbury Public Schools from 2013 to 2019. At Curry College he worked as a Collaborative Pianist from 2016 to 2020. During this time, he also offered private music instruction courses in piano and improvisation, helping students develop their technical skills and creativity. He joined the faculty at South Shore Conservatory in 2023.
Performance Bio
As a collaborative pianist, Jacob has collaborated with numerous talented directors and musicians. He worked with various k-12 choral groups in public school districts such as Duxbury, Boston, Hanover, Newton, Duxbury, and Cambridge. His collaborative work with Duxbury Public Schools included performances with the Duxbury High School Chamber Singers at renowned venues such as Strathmore Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Disney. At Curry College, he was pianist for the choral group 'Sing' under the direction of Julian Bryson. As a graduate student at the University of Florida, he played for an Opera Workshop of Mozart’s Der Schauspieldirektor and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas under the direction of Tony Offerle. As a solo pianist, Jacob participated in events such as the University of Florida International Piano Festival in 2012, the Texas Music Teachers Association Young Artist Competition in 2011, and an Honors Recital at Steinway Hall in Plano, Texas, hosted by the Plano Music Teachers Association. He joined the faculty at South Shore Conservatory in 2023. Visit Jacob's website.