Testimonials
We have twin boys who have been taking private lessons from Ian Vo for many years. They play Alto and Tenor saxophone among other instruments. Ian has been beyond instrumental to their music learning, success and advancement. He has taught them incredible techniques with regard to jazz improvisation. What I have loved the most is seeing their musical growth throughout the years. Wiitnessing their Jazz improvisational skills has been beyond anyone could believe. Anyone who has witnessed their playing ability and improvisational skills is always beyond impressed. Both our boys applied to music schools during their senior year of high school and thanks to Ian’s guidance and mentorship, they both were accepted to top music schools in the country. USC Thornton School of Music, UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, Berklee College of Music to name a few. They also were awarded substantial merit based scholarships to attend these schools. None of this could have happened had they not taken music lessons from Ian all these years. Ian has set our boys up for success all the years they were studying with him and he was instrumental to their growth as musicians.
-Marci and Andrew Castro
Ian Vo has been our son’s saxophone teacher for almost seven years, and we feel Daniel could not be in better hands. As Daniel has grown from a 4th-grader, just beginning the alto sax, to lead alto in his high school jazz ensemble, Ian’s patience, depth and scope of musicianship, and focus on fundamentals and improvisation have been spot-on through every bend in the road. This year Daniel made the District Honor Jazz Ensemble and will be heading to Stanford Jazz Camp in the summer. Ian is a rare combination of a great professional musician who is also a great teacher. We give him our highest recommendation!
- Kathleen and Andrew Kinney
Santa Clarita kids and parents are lucky to have a skilled professional like Ian Vo in the valley. Our son Kevin has been studying saxophone with Ian for four years. Ian is a talented and patient teacher perfect for all ages and levels. Our son Kevin looks forward to his lesson each week.
Over time our son developed a strong interest in jazz saxophone, and Ian's range of ability has been a perfect match. Ian's knowledge of jazz and his ability to teach advanced improvisation techniques is truly impressive. With Ian's instruction, not only was Kevin able to make it into the honor orchestra, but he was also selected for the California All-State Junior HIgh School Jazz Band as first chair for alto sax.
Ian's instruction has been an indispensable part of our son's accomplishments, and we can wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone interested in the saxophone.
-Ewan & Zoe Gillespie
From the first time I picked up the flute and to the last few days before I left for college, Ian has always been by my side as an inspirer, an empowerer, and a passionate instructor. During those nine years Ian gave me a strong foundation in music basics and flute techniques, showing me how to apply them to create new textures in a piece. Over the years he has helped me find my own style as a flautist learning to adapt to all types of musical platforms from classical, improv, jazz, band, and wind ensemble. And when I was stuck, lost, frustrated in one part of a piece or another, Ian was able to focus my strengths and teach me the techniques to develop what challenged me.
Through the many lessons we had, Ian was always willing and wanting me to shape the lessons to focus on what intrigued me, and because of this I never felt like music was a burden to learn: it became something I looked forward to weekly. Whether it was during elementary school, middle school, or high school he challenged me technically and stylistically to grow as player.
Ian Vo is an amazing teacher and has adapted his knowledge, skills, and love of music to encourage and bring out the best in his students, and has personally contributed to who I am well beyond the skills needed to be a flautist.
-Elyse Doria
My daughter who is now a sophomore, started her love of clarinet during her elementary years. Ian Vo, or Mr. Vo as we called him, was her first teacher and mentor. He opened her eyes and ears to the magical world of music. With his constant encouragement, and faith in her abilities, she developed this special love of clarinet music.
Over the years, she's had other music teachers but none compared to the passion and dedication she learned from Mr. Vo.
My family is forever grateful to Mr. Vo for bringing music into our lives. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience. He is kind and fun to work with.
I know years from now, wherever faith takes my daughter, I know she will always remember this kind, and talented music teacher who opened her heart to the beautiful sound of a clarinet.
-Eva R.