Yaakov was born and raised in Queens, New York, where his music career had its humble beginnings. By the age of seven, Yaakov was playing Jewish music classics on the piano, and over the subsequent years, numerous other instruments as well. He began composing at age fourteen, when he played for multiple bands in his high school and community. His first public release came in 2013, when he inspired many with a single about unity in a time of Israel’s need. Yaakov has studied many aspects of music both formally and informally, including theory, history, performance, production, arrangement, and several others. Yaakov, now an active singer-songwriter and music producer as well as a financial advisor, lives in Manhattan with his wife, Levana.

He dedicates much of his time to volunteer work, such as working with children and adults with special needs with organizations such as Camp HASC and Yachad, as well as Jewish community outreach with NCSY, and musically uplifting elderly and ill individuals with organizations like Music Vs and Chai Lifeline. His experiences with community service have been strong inspirations for his music and have influenced a number of his songs.
“More Light”, the DFK 2015 Worldwide Anthem, is one such song. It speaks about how every single person has unique talents and abilities that can be used to make the world a better place. We all have the ability to do acts of kindness, and each one makes a real impact on the world. Whether you sing to put a smile on someone’s face, provide love and care for individuals with special needs, visit hospital patients, run charity marathons, or buy a homeless man ice cream, you are using your unique skills to bring “More Light” into the world.