Dr. Wenbo Yin, versatile and bold in his music-making, is a skillful interpreter of diverse genres ranging from classical and jazz to contemporary and beatbox saxophone. His performances include being featured as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, ensemble player at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, principal saxophone in wind groups, and concerts with prominent jazz artists. He has been invited to host masterclasses and lectures at universities and conferences across the United States, China, and the Kingdom of Bhutan.
As co-founder of the One Heart Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to integrating music and aesthetic-based artistry, wellness, and holistic practices, Dr. Yin is committed to nurturing the growth and well-being of musicians and individuals alike. The Institute’s unique approach combines music-making and aesthetic-based artistry with wellness practices and mindful living, empowering individuals to achieve balance and harmony.
Wenbo's performances span collaboration with GRAMMY® award-nominated guitarist Alex de Grassi to duet and combo performances with prominent jazz artists such as GRAMMY® award-winning saxophonist Charles (Chip) McNeill, trombonist John Fedchock, and jazz vocalist Carla Cook. He served as first alto sax in the CCM Jazz Lab Band, Principal Saxophone at the CCM's most prominent wind groups—CCM Wind Symphony (Wind Orchestra), CCM Wind Ensemble, and CCM Chamber Winds.
He was invited as a speaker and performer at the Reimagining Education International Symposium hosted by the Royal University of Bhutan in 2024, selected to give a solo recital at the North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Biennial Conference in 2020, collaborated with The United States Air Force Band Wind Quintet, appeared as a performer in the Midwest Composers Symposium, the International Saxophone Symposium - US Navy Band, the Essentially Ellington Festival sponsored by Jazz at Lincoln Center, Music China in Shanghai.
Wenbo world premiered Jeffery Gao's Sonata for Alto Saxophone and Piano at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), Even William’s operatic/film/electroacoustic pieces, and Quartet for Saxophone by Brian Raphael Nabors, whose works have been featured in major symphonies and music festivals worldwide. As a conductor, his repertoire spans work by Mozart, Stravinsky, and Grainger, performed by chamber orchestras and saxophone ensembles under his baton.
Wenbo's debut album, Reflection, was released in December 2022. The project is an introspective exploration of how intention shapes a musician's approach to music, showcasing the versatility of the saxophone as an instrument and the limitless nature of music creation. It features Kalyanamitra, an original electronic smooth jazz composition; Chaconne in G Minor from the Baroque period by Tomaso Vitali; the Romantic transcriptions of violin virtuoso Pagnini’s Caprice no. 24; contemporary saxophone solo composition Bab Boujloud; the saxophone premiere of the choral piece If Tomorrow Is the Next Life; and two covers of folk and cinematic music.
As a music educator, Dr. Yin served as a woodwind specialist at the University of Cincinnati (UC) Marching Band, undergraduate saxophone studio teaching assistant, assistant director of the UC Bearcat Jazz Band, 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.
Dr. Yin obtained his Bachelor of Music from the Ithaca College School of Music in New York, 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). His mentors include Dr. James Bunte, Rick VanMatre, Craig Bailey, Dr. Scott Belck, Bill Tiberio, and Dr. Steven Mauk. He is the First Prize Winner of the advanced category 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 semi-finalist of the North American Saxophone Alliance Quartet Competition.
In harmony with his musical journey, Wenbo is also a Tai Chi practitioner and instructor who teaches private and group classes locally in Northern California and internationally. He has also developed a course on Tai Chi for Musicians, which he offers through workshops at various institutions.
