Jacob Taggart is a nine year-old classically trained pianist. Jacob started lessons at age four with Mrs. Mary Carloni. After a year, Jacob was referred on to Juilliard graduate, Dr. Reid Smith, with whom he currently studies.
In May 2013, at the age of six, Jacob won his first piano award, the Wildwood Series Young Artist Award. In the summer of 2013, he placed 2nd at the Epiphany Springfest Talent Show in the pre-teen division. He was also a finalist at the MN State Fair Talent Competition in 2013. He took first place in the pre-teen division of the Epiphany Talent Competition in May, 2014. In August 2014, at the age of seven, Jacob won the pre-teen division at the MN State Fair. Jacob wowed a crowd of 5,000 and became one of the youngest winners ever of the State Fair Talent Competition.
Jacob attended his first piano festival in July 2014, the Accademia Tadini International Music Festival in Lovere, Italy. In addition to playing a solo recital, he played the first movement of the Bach Concerto No. 5 with members of the Milan Chamber Orchestra. He has also taken Master Classes with some of the world's greatest pianists, including Vincenzo Balzani (Italy), Shuku Iwasaki (Japan), and Alexander Yakovlev (Russia).
Jacob has a true love of playing piano that is evident during his performances. Even at a young age, Jacob is able to draw in his audience as he performs.
