Born in 1976 in Moscow, Jacob Katsnelson started music studies at the age of six. In 1993 entered Moscow conservatory to study with prof. Eliso Virsaladze. Since 2001 – assistant to Prof. Elisso Virsaladze at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky conservatory. He performed as a soloist across Russia as well as in Austria, Germany, Spain and France. As a member of Akadem-trio (Jacob Katsnelson (piano), Irina Petukhova (violin), Boris Lifanovsky (cello)), Katsnelson performed a lot in Russia and abroad.  In November 1999 the trio won the First and six special prizes at the Second Open National Taneyev chamber music competition.  In December 2000 – 2nd prize at the XXI Trapani (Italy) International chamber music competition.

Jacob Katsnelson participated in different international music festivals, including 6th International festival in commemoration of Oleg Kagan.  He is a recipient of a Diploma at the 10th International Bach competition in Leipzig and a Diploma at the International Queen Elizabeth competition in Belgium (1999).  He is also a Laureate of the Second International piano competition in Tbilisi (Georgia) and a Laureate of the 1st International Svyatoslav Richter competition in Moscow (2005).  Katsnelson teaches at the Special Gnessin music school affiliated to Moscow conservatory since 1998 and also works as an assistant to Prof. Eliso Virsaladze at the Moscow State Tchaikovsky Conservatory.