Spotlight

Musical Mom Directs Success

By Jennifer Redmond

Spotlight

Leah Jacob admitted it wasn’t the best day for an interview. Still, after being up all night caring for a sick toddler and feeling a little queasy herself, this accomplished cellist was eager to describe how she teaches, performs, and runs a summer music camp while caring for three young children.

“If there’s something that I want, I just make it happen,” she states. “I don’t give up very easily.” This persistent can-do attitude is what launched a teaching career that, together with her performance fees, brings in close to $35,000 annually. The unique part about this arrangement is that Leah and Craig, her husband, don’t pay a dime for a babysitter.

Award-Winning Creativity

Such an accomplishment garnered the attention of Redbook magazine. The Mason, Ohio musician is still surprised by her inclusion among ten women receiving the Redbook/Silpada “Design Your Life” award this past November.

The award stems from Leah’s bartering arrangement. Though she teaches a number of students ranging in age from seven to 70, two have agreed to watch her children in her home in exchange for private lessons, which cost $20 for 30 minutes. As Leah teaches for several hours, her children are cared for nearby.

When she isn’t instructing, Leah plays principal cello in her community orchestra and performs at weddings and special events with the Rosé Trio (www.Rose-trio.com). She also runs a “Cellisimo” summer program, and moderates a group of older musicians dubbed “The Adult Cello Support Group.”

In order to fulfill these additional responsibilities and teach at a local music studio one afternoon a week, Leah’s husband, a structural engineer, lends his support in a very practical way. Craig negotiated a flexible work arrangement with his employer, allowing him to be home early once a week so he can care for the children. He is full-time dad when Leah performs during the weekends as well.

“I could not do it without him,” she admits. Craig also acknowledges that what she does with her students and with her children “is work,” she says. She appreciates his customary “how was your workday?” greeting at the end of any day.

 

Best of Both Worlds

A graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Leah is accustomed to juggling schedules and working hard for what she wants. She paid her college tuition by teaching lessons and ran her own business for awhile. She makes adjustments in her schedule and plans when needed.

And despite her12-15 hour a week teaching and performing schedule, she considers herself a stay-at-home mom. “I have it made,” she says. “In my world, this is not unusual…In my world, I am able to have a career where I feel useful and still do what I love and stay at home with my kids.”

“I count my blessings every day.”