A Pacific Northwest native, Michael Jacobsen began learning music early in life, singing at age three and studying piano from age six. He attended Central Washington University and the University of Northern Iowa, earning respectively a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Piano Performance. While in college he began studying Suzuki Piano pedagogy, a pursuit he continued post-graduate in a course of long-term, comprehensive, S.A.A. teacher training under Peggy Swingle.
Mr. Jacobsen has been teaching Suzuki Piano professionally for over 25 years. He has been active in the Suzuki community, serving as a clinician and as President of the Suzuki Association of Washington State, during which time he helped draft the S.A.W.S. graduation program.
Since joining the Westminster Conservatory of Music faculty, Mr. Jacobsen has developed numerous Conservatory programs including a series of children’s concerts and a Youth Opera Workshop. He has written five operas for young performers that have been continually re-staged by schools and opera companies throughout the U.S. and Canada. In addition to teaching at Westminster he maintains a private studio in Plainsboro, New Jersey.