Yakov trained in classical composition at Moscow Ippolitov-Ivanov Musical Institute.
Yakov attended a film-scoring summer program at the
Film Scoring Academy of Europe, where he studied with Hollywood film veterans such as
Conrad Pope and
Andy Hill, and received individual mentoring from
Norman Ludwin, Michael Giacchino's orchestrator.
In addition, he had the opportunity to study with
Harry Gregson Williams at the NGC Lab, for which he received a grant.