A singing coach known for his work with celebrities who was convicted of sexually assaulting one of his students has outraged his former students by attempting to restart his career in another state.
David Jaanz, 62, pleaded guilty in Melbourne Magistrates Court in April to sexual offences relating to an incident that took place in 2023.
Described as a “master coach”, Jaanz has mentored pop singer Deltra Goodrem and winners of singing competitions The Voice, Australia’s Got Talent, X Factor and Australian Idol.
The Jaanz International Singing Academy in Melbourne abruptly closed in May after it emerged that the artist had sexually assaulted a 27-year-old student last November.
He launched his attack at a studio in Oakleigh, south-east of Melbourne, under the pretext of teaching her a “relaxation” technique designed to help with stage fright.
But now, just months after closing his academy in disgrace, Jaanz has opened a new branch, infuriating his former students.
He and his wife Lynn opened Singing the Art of the Heart Studios in Queensland, offering “elite level singing training and industry consultancy.”
One former student said she is “deeply concerned” by the idea of Jaanz teaching students who are unaware of his criminal record.
Singing coach David Jaanz (pictured), a convicted sex offender, has outraged his former students by attempting to restart his career in another state.
“As a former student, I am deeply concerned that she has returned to teaching, especially in a state where her prior offense may not be widely known,” she said. Herald of the Sun.
‘His abuse of power as a principal was disturbing and caused long-term damage to the student he assaulted not less than a year ago.’
The texts exchanged between the teacher and his victim revealed the horror of his actions.
“You unzipped my pants and rubbed my legs too close to my private areas,” the woman wrote, according to the messages.
‘And you touched my chest and ignored me when I flinched, clearly very uncomfortable.
“I was frozen all week and pretended it didn’t happen, but it did.”
At one point, Jaanz allegedly ordered her to lie on the floor and told her the “exercise” was necessary to “break her limits” and improve her performance.
Jaanz only stopped when he learned that the student was on her period.
When confronted about his actions via text message, Jaanz attempted to cheat on her.
“If I had done it in innocence, I would have never hurt you or gone any further. Never. You know that. Never,” he wrote.
She said she was “heartbroken” and complained that she felt like she had lost someone she “loved deeply.”
She said she had learned the “relaxation” technique at the National Theatre and that it was about “trusting and overcoming limits.”
“I would never have hurt you or torn up your test,” he replied.
“I’m sorry you made a mistake and I’m sorry I upset you.”
The woman, who had been trained by Jaanz from a very young age, told the Herald of the Sun She saw him as a father figure and trusted him.
The victim believes he groomed her for his own disgusting purposes.
“He knew how ambitious I was and set things up so that he would be the key to our success in the music industry,” she said.
‘He was very powerful. All of his students were constantly winning TV shows (The Voice, Australian Idol) and were sent to the United States, which is where all Australian singers want to go.
“He used that power. That day, he knew what he wanted to do and he thought he had manipulated me enough to be able to do it.”
The Jaanz International Singing Academy, which has trained hundreds of aspiring singers, previously had studios in Sydney, Brisbane and seven in Melbourne.
On their website you can read the following about the relaunch: ‘Their new initiative focuses on private one-on-one coaching and group sessions to help singers make breakthroughs and progress in their careers. Admission is by audition only.
‘We will continue to produce some of the best voices and artists in the world.’
After pleading guilty to the assault, Jaanz walked free without serving any jail time.
Instead, he was given a two-year bond for good behavior and ordered to pay $5,000 into the court fund, a sentence his victim described as a “slap on the wrist.”
Described as a “master coach”, Jaanz has mentored superstars such as Delta Goodrem, along with winners and contestants on TV shows including The Voice, Australian Idol, Australia’s Got Talent and X Factor (pictured, Delta Goodrem with David and Lynn Jaanz).
Jaanz and his wife Lynn (pictured) opened Singing the Art of the Heart Studios in Queensland, offering “elite-level singing training and industry consultancy”.
Jaanz sexually assaulted a student associated with his now-closed music academy in Oakleigh, south-east of Melbourne (pictured are text messages between Jaanz and the student he assaulted)
The website for Jaanz’s new studio includes testimonials from stars including Goodrem, who said: “My dear friend David Jaanz is not just a singing teacher, but a beacon of guidance for young singers.”
‘Their melodies of wisdom resonate deeply, teaching us that greatness is not forged by shortcuts but by unwavering dedication.
‘With every turn of the page, we are empowered to break boundaries and reach new heights.’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Jaanz and Goodrem, via their record label Sony, for comment.
