Dr. Wenbo Yin, versatile and bold in his music-making, is a skillful interpreter of diverse genres. His performance highlights include solo appearances at Carnegie Hall, performances with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, principal saxophone roles in leading wind ensembles, and collaborations with prominent jazz artists. He has given masterclasses and lectures at universities and conferences across the United States, China, and the Kingdom of Bhutan.
As co-founder and artistic director of the One Heart Institute, a non-profit organization integrating music, aesthetic-based artistry, wellness, and holistic practices, Dr. Yin is committed to nurturing the growth and well-being of musicians and individuals alike.
Wenbo’s debut album, Reflection (2022), is an introspective exploration of how intention shapes musical expression, showcasing the versatility of the saxophone across baroque, romantic, contemporary, cinematic, electronic, and folk traditions.
As a music educator, Dr. Yin is on faculty at the Mendocino College. He previously served as woodwind specialist for the University of Cincinnati Marching Band, undergraduate saxophone studio teaching assistant, assistant director of the UC Bearcat Jazz Band, and saxophone faculty and lecturer at the CCM Preparatory Department. He is a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, Music Teachers’ Association of California, and Music Teachers National Association.
Wenbo served as first alto saxophone in the CCM Jazz Lab Band and principal saxophone with CCM’s Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and has collaborated with the United States Air Force Band Wind Quintet. He has performed and spoken internationally, including at the Reimagining Education International Symposium hosted by the Royal University of Bhutan, the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference, the International Saxophone Symposium (U.S. Navy Band), the Midwest Composers Symposium, Essentially Ellington at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Music China in Shanghai. He has world premiered works by composers Jeffery Gao, Even Williams, and Brian Raphael Nabors, at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and on international stages.
Dr. Yin earned his Bachelor of Music from the Ithaca College School of Music, and his Master and Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance with cognates in Jazz and Wind Conducting at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He is the winner of the 2025 Beverly Hills National Audition, First Prize Winner of the New York Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, laureate of the Carnegie Hall Gala Audition, finalist of the CBS Celebration of Music Competition, and a semi-finalist of the NASA Quartet Competition.
In harmony with his musical journey, Wenbo is also a Tai Chi practitioner and instructor, teaching locally in Northern California and online. He is also a certified musicians' wellbeing coach at Backline Care and offers workshops at institutions around the world.
