YAYA ESCOBAR

reviews from students

"Mr. Escobar is an amazing instructor! He is incredibly knowledgeable and patient with my granddaughter. I’m truly impressed by his teaching approach. My granddaughter is learning the flute with him and looks forward to her lessons every week. She’s motivated to practice because she wants Mr. Escobar to hear her progress.

We feel so lucky to have been referred to Mr. Escobar, who is a product of our East Bay public schools and has become a professional musician and instructor. I’m happy to support his local small business!"

~ Johanna V., grandmother of 10 y.o. student

yaya's approach as a teacher

Yaya Escobar teaches flute, clarinet, saxophone, piano, and improvisation to students ages 8 and up. He creates supportive spaces where students can explore their unique voices, whether they're beginners just starting their musical journey or advanced players seeking to deepen their artistry. Drawing from his students' interests and passions, Yaya helps learners develop not only technical skills but also an appreciation for music's transformative power in one's learning. 

Yaya loves working with:

• beginners picking up an instrument for the first time
• seasoned musicians wishing to deepen their craft
• students at all skill levels who love playing music

He tunes into each student’s musical interests and passions and guides them to express themselves through music. During this process, students will learn the foundations of the instrument, how to read and interpret music, and how to work with scales and chords to compose and improvise their own music. 

A little about yaya

Yaya Escobar is a 22-year-old saxophonist, woodwind specialist, and educator rooted in consciousness, curiosity, and integrity. Originally from Richmond, CA, Yaya grew up surrounded by the sounds of jazz, blues, West African drumming, Trinidadian soca, blues, and funk – and those experiences continue to resonate in his sound today. 

He is a proud graduate of the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, focusing in jazz saxophone and West African drumming, and currently studies at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where he is pursuing a double major in Jazz Saxophone and Music Education, along with a K–12 teaching certification in Maryland.

What To Expect In Your Lesson

Whether you are taking a beginner lesson or you are a seasoned musician wishing to enhance your playing, we will work on all the elements of playing your instrument, from fingering your first notes to the psychological and technical challenges of live performance:

• Step-by-step development of fundamentals
• Deep breathing strategies for optimum performance and centering before playing
• Embouchure (adjusting the shape of your mouth against the mouthpiece/headjoint to create a good sound)
• Clear sound, vibrato, and intonation
• Fingerings of basic notes to alternate fingerings for the upper register and trills
• Scales and arpeggios
• Sight-reading sheet music
• Improvisation using knowledge of scales and theory
• Mastery of selected pieces to prepare for performance
• Memorization of selected songs
• Mindfulness strategies to remain relaxed and joyful during performances
• Recordings and playlists of music to train your listening ability

Areas served for music lessons

Most of my students come to my studio from Berkeley, Albany, El Cerrito, Oakland, Richmond, and the greater East Bay community. Click below to contact me about a free first trial lesson!