Home Faculty Johan Qin

Johan Qin began his study of the violin and piano at the age of 5 and received early recognition for his musical talent. One of his teachers growing up, Holly Tosco, recognized his gifts and invited Johan to deliver his first public performance at the age of 6 in North Carolina. In his youth, Johan was active around the Bay Area, joining the East Bay Youth Orchestra and delivering performances at his church. He progressed quickly as a musician, earning a spot in the Oakland Youth Orchestra as a freshman and becoming concertmaster of the Foothill High School Orchestra as a sophomore. Johan delivered his first solo performance with the Oakland Youth Orchestra as a junior and served as concertmaster of the Livermore-Pleasanton Youth Outreach Symphony as a senior. During high school, Johan performed annually with the Foothill-Amador Musical Orchestra and served as concertmaster during performances.

As a performing artist, Johan has had many notable achievements. Some of these include winning top prizes in the Oakland Youth Orchestra concerto competition, performing locally and internationally on stages such as Davies Symphony Hall and the National Theater in Costa Rica, and participating in chamber music festivals in the Czech Republic and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. In his free time, Johan shares music on his YouTube channel, performs at churches, and plays with the Livermore-Amador Symphony. Johan received his Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University, where he took lessons under renowned violin pedagogue Almita Vamos and co-founded an organization dedicated to the promotion and performance of Asian music. His former teachers include Ju-Yi Peng and Debbra Wood Schwartz.

Johan is a dedicated coach, violinist, and instructor who enjoys sharing his musical knowledge and talent with his students. He utilizes a firm yet sensitive approach to instruction, ensuring students feel heard but also pushed to grow and improve their skills at the same time. He has a strong eye for potential and seeks to bring out the best in each student during one-on-one and group lessons. Johan prepares students for music exams and auditions successfully.