Jaanz International Singing Academy founder David Jaanz admits sexual abusing young woman
Celebrity Melbourne singing coach David Jaanz, who has mentored stars, including Delta Goodrem and Matt Corby, has admitted to sexually violating a young woman.
Police & Courts
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Celebrity singing coach David Jaanz has admitted to sexually violating a young woman linked to his music academy.
The Herald Sun can reveal Mr Jaanz was charged with sexual offences by Victoria Police’s Sexual Offences and Child-abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT) in Box Hill.
It’s understood the charges relate to an incident which took place in 2023.
Mr Jaanz pleaded guilty to the charges last week and will be sentenced in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in May.
Mr Jaanz is considered one of the nation’s most successful and influential singing coaches.
Dubbed the “Master Coach”, Mr Jaanz has mentored stars including Delta Goodrem and Matt Corby and winning contestants for The Voice, Australian Idol, Australia’s Got Talent and X Factor.
Sources linked to the Jaanz International Singing Academy, which coaches hundreds of aspiring performers, have accused the academy of a cover-up.
A parent of a Jaanz protégé told the Herald Sun the charges against the singing coach have been kept secret, with Mr Jaanz continuing to work with young singers.
“It’s been very hush hush. Nothing has been disclosed to the school,” the parent said.
“The fact he’s still working with students under the current circumstances is beyond belief.
“My concern is he’s still got his Working with Children (WWC) permit and coaching girls as young as 10 and 12.”
Several children have since been withdrawn from the academy for safety reasons.
“It’s been a distressing situation. My son looked up to (Mr Jaanz) as a mentor,” the parent said.
The Jaanz International Singing Academy has studios across Melbourne including Box Hill, Oakleigh, Camberwell, Croydon, Keysborough, Narre Warren and Mornington.
There are also interstate studios based in Sydney and Brisbane, as well as online.
Musical superstar Delta Goodrem described Mr Jaanz as a “beacon of guidance for young singers” in a testimonial published on the academy’s website.
“Thank you for everything you do for all young singers David and me included,” Ms Goodrem wrote.
Celebrity manager Ralph Carr also wrote Mr Jaanz had built “the most successful school for singers which now breeds some of the best singers in Australia”.
The Herald Sun sought comment from the Jaanz International Singing Academy, which said in a statement it “places the health and wellbeing of our students as the first priority in our service delivery, having established a reputation for training and mentoring world class performers over the past 40 years”.
“As this matter is currently in front of the Melbourne Magistrates Court, we will not be making any further comment at this stage.”
On Wednesday, the Jaanz academy’s official Instagram posted a glowing birthday tribute to Mr Jaanz, saying he was “so much more than a singing coach”.
“David is a mentor, an encourager, a champion for his students, an inspiration, and a positive force. He has changed the lives of so many, teaching them to always believe in themselves, chase their dreams and never give up,” the academy wrote.
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