For John Yun, music has always been a journey of exploration, collaboration, and connection. Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, John spent 2003 to 2007 at Algoma University College (AUC) completing a three-year Bachelor of Arts in Music before transferring to Laurentian University to finish his fourth year.
John’s time at Algoma U was as vibrant as it was formative. Outside of the classroom, he was a familiar face in the local music and social scene. “I was a DJ and bartender at the old T-Bird Lounge, which later became the Speakeasy. I was there almost every Thursday night for a few years,” he recalls. Music wasn’t his only passion. When he wasn’t behind the turntables, he spent a lot of time at the foosball table, and he also played indoor soccer with the AUC team.
Reflecting on this period, John credits Algoma University with giving him the freedom to explore his interests. “Algoma gave me the space and permission to explore my interests,” he says. “It was a great time to get my skills together and see where music could take me.”
After completing his undergraduate degree, John pursued a Master of Music at Western University, finishing in 2012, and immediately began a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) program there. It was during this time that his focus began to shift toward collaborative piano and working with singers- a path that would define his career. Concurrently, he nurtured his love for jazz music, which began during his time at Algoma U with Friday morning lessons under Frank Deresti.
John’s professional journey quickly gained momentum. He participated in opera programs like the Canadian Operatic Arts Academy (COAA) and La Musica Lirica in Italy, explored conducting and music directing, and by 2013 began working exclusively on touring Broadway musical productions. Over the next six years, he built connections in New York City that would later anchor his career. After the COVID-19 pandemic, he won his first chair as the associate music director of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and eventually decided to stay in New York to freelance, where he continues to make his mark today.
For John, the pride doesn’t just come from Broadway lights, it comes from the ability to share his experiences with the Sault Ste. Marie community. “I remain close to many friends in the Sault, and with social media, I’m never really that far away,” he says. “I hope my path can inspire people to take risks, not just in the arts, but wherever their passions lie.”
John emphasizes the importance of collaboration and kindness in any career, especially music. “At every step of my career, someone had to open a door for me on the other side. Being a music director is a collaborative endeavour. People remember how you made them feel. Be kind.”
Though his career has taken him far from Sault Ste. Marie, John remains deeply connected to Algoma U’s music community. Many of his classmates and teachers continue to contribute to the local scene, keeping the spirit of mentorship and creativity alive.
For John Yun, his journey, from Algoma University to Laurentian University, then Western, and ultimately to Broadway, reflects the power of staying connected to your roots, following your passion, embracing collaboration, and never forgetting where it all began.
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