Jacob Cai was born in Calgary. Growing up in a family with a rich musical heritage, Jacob was exposed to music at a young age. His father, a record producer, and his grandmother, an Opera singer, instilled a passion for music within him that only grew stronger over time.

Studying under Professor Marilyn Engle, Jacob has successfully participated in numerous national and international piano competitions and festivals. During the summer of 2024, Jacob was selected to participate in the Sibenik Summer Academy in Croatia where he studied with Professor Natalia Trull. He was also invited to the Musicalta Music Festival in Alsace, France, where he had lessons with Professor Gerlinda Otto, and performed in the festival. In June 2023, Jacob performed with The Calgary Civic Symphony. He was also the first-place winner in both the International Youth Elevato Piano Competition and Concerto Competition. In the summer of 2023, he was invited to perform with the Karlovy Vary Symphony Orchestra in the Czech Republic. He then attended the Piano Talent Summer Courses in Brescia, Italy where he won the Soloist & Orchestra Concerto Competition. Jacob was also the winner of the Special award of the 6th International Franz Liszt Competition in Weimar, Germany.

Jacob was awarded first place and Overall Prize in both 2023 and 2020 in the Steinway Piano Competition. In 2021, Jacob won the 1st Prize in the Age 9 Category at the Canadian Music Competition. He also won the 1st Prize and Young Artist Award at WPTA Singapore 2021 as well as the 1st Prize and Grand Prix in the Crown of Stars (Category C 10-12 years old) at the Music and Stars Awards. He was also selected to perform at the Coimbra World Piano Meeting at the age of eight.

His creative and curious mind has led him to explore widely varied interests such as composing, chamber music, drawing and origami. Jacob also loves reptiles! He has a bearded dragon, a chameleon and a box turtle.