Jacob Cook serves as the Director of Vocal Music Studies at the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, KY where he conducts four choral ensembles, teaches vocal development, and teaches electives in pedagogy and opera. Additionally, he coordinates mentor students for the YPAS/Western Middle School for the Arts Vocal Academy which partners high school singers from YPAS with 6th and 7th grade students at Western to enrich the learning and performance of all involved. Mr. Cook has conducted the YPAS Choirs in performance at the American Choral Director’s Association Southern Division Conference, the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference, the Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses National Conference, and in international performance venues in Italy and Costa Rica. Prior to working with students at YPAS, Mr. Cook taught music and choir to students in grades K-12 in the greater Cincinnati area including positions with the Diocese of Covington, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, and Mason City Schools. Mr. Cook also served as music director in church programs and as a conductor with the Fort Thomas Youth Choir on its tour of Spain and in the World Choir Games in Cincinnati. Mr. Cook studied at East Tennessee State University with Dr. Thomas Jenrette and Dr. Oliver Lo and earned a Bachelor’s of Music. While earning a Master’s of Music at the University of Kentucky, Mr. Cook studied voice with Gail Robinson, performed several opera roles, and sang with the UK Choirs under Dr. Jefferson Johnson.