Jaco Griessel

I am Cape Town-based composer, music director and pianist working in musical theater. I hold a Master's Degree in composition from the University of the Free State. During my studies I was recipient of three Fanie Beetge Awards for academic excellence. In 2012 I received a Mandela-Rhodes scholarship to complete my Master's degree. 

With over professional 12 years experience I have worked as pianist, keyboardist and guitarist on international touring musical theater productions as well as as local South African productions. Some of my performing credits include: Keyboard 2 in the "Jemima Tour" of the musical CATS, which started in South Africa, toured to Mumbai, India and is currently running in Hong Kong. This production will tour to Singapore, South Korea, Abu Dhabi and China in 2027. 

I was musical director and pianist for many local South African productions as well which include: The South African premiere of Stephen Dolginoff's THRILL ME at Theatre-on-the-Bay in Cape Town, Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD at the Kalkbay Bakery, the 2022 South African national tour of THE LAST FIVE YEARS which toured to Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg and RENT, which ran at the Artscape Theatre in 2017.

In addition to my professional work, I have worked as a rehearsal pianist and vocal coach at The Waterfront Theatre College from 2014-2017, and as Practical Musicianship, Songwriting, Piano and Guitar instructor at the Luitingh-Alexander Musical Theatre Academy from 2019-2023. Both of these institutions are based in Cape Town South Africa. 

My career in musical theater has given me a profound understanding of many different styles of music which I am able to teach with confidence on both the piano and guitar.

I pride myself on understanding my student's goals and tailoring the lesson to suit what they want to achieve with their music studies. Whether the goal is to become a professional musician or to learn music for their own enjoyment, I provide tailor-made exercises to solve technical problems and develop musical expression.