Lessons

Offering in person (NYC) or Zoom Lessons

I offer private lessons in person (NYC) and via Zoom for musicians at all levels — from students just starting to write to working professionals looking to refine their craft.

$100 / hour

Topics include:

  • Composition and arranging for ensembles ranging from trio to 17-piece big band

  • Orchestration and instrument ranges

  • Voicing structures — four-way closed, open/spread, clusters, fourth voicings

  • Pre-composition techniques

  • Twelve-tone Technique

  • Music preparation

  • Jazz improvisation

  • Bandleading and conducting

To book a lesson, email me at john@johnyao.com.

Qualifications and Experience

Guggenheim Fellow in Music Composition, 2025

Education

  • Masters in Jazz Performance, Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, Flushing, NY; diploma 2007.

  • Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN; diploma 2000.

Experience

  • Berklee College of Music, Assistant Professor of Trombone

  • Molloy University, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music

  • Queens College, Adjunct Faculty

  • Manhattan School of Music, Guest Lecturer

  • Temple University, Guest Lecturer

  • Boston University, Online Facilitator

  • York College

Clinic & Masterclass Topics

Composition, Arranging, Orchestration

An open discussion of the process of composing a piece of music and how to approach developing a small fragment into a full work for any size ensemble (trio ranging to big band).  Arranging for big band requires knowledge of instrument ranges, transpositions, timbre and technical considerations and traditional and modern big band voicing techniques.  Piano skills are highly recommended.  

Improvisation

(Including all instruments) Demonstration and discussion of concepts including building jazz vocabulary, scales and chords and approaches to practicing improvisation.  Other topics include: compositional approaches to improv, motivic development and melodic, rhythmic, harmonic restrictions on your improvisation.  

Brass Techniques

(Including all brass and wind instruments) Building a firm foundation of air stream, tone production, flexibility and sound projection is essential to the brass player.  Techniques and approaches to practicing are demonstrated and tailored for ultimate benefit of all levels of experience.   

To schedule a lesson, clinic or masterclass, fill out the form below or email me at john@johnyao.com