FSU grad and conductor takes violin skills to international competition in Spain

Tallahassee’s own Aaron King Vaughn will be competing in the City of Music International Orchestral competition from July 10-18, 2021, in Valencia, Spain.

Over 180 musicians and conductors from all over the world have competed for the opportunity to showcase their talent and style on this stage and Vaughn was one of 25 selected to perform.

After winning the opportunity to compete, he began organizing his travel plans for this prestigious event. His friends and family were eager to support him, contributing enough to pay for his plane tickets within 48 hours of his social media postings.

The international competition is a dream come true for this conductor of music.

Vaughn has loved music since he was a baby listening to his mother’s singing and started violin lessons at the early age of 4 years old. He went on to earn his bachelor’s and Master of Music degrees from Florida State University and is now the music director and conductor of the Sinfonia Gulf Coast Youth Orchestra in Destin.

Vaughn was named a Chicago Sinfonietta Project Inclusion Freeland Conducting Fellow, he was invited to conduct at the International Institute for Conductors and was an assistant conductor finalist for the National Repertory Orchestra, he was also invited to study under the PRISM Conducting Fellowship.

Here are some of Vaughn's own words about his journey with music.

Thanks to the mentors    

“In 7th grade I got the opportunity to conduct the combined orchestra concert finale at my school, Florida High. The piece was America the Beautiful, and I did not realize it then, but that moment would change my life forever. 

I was extremely fortunate to have been born from humble beginnings into a musical family. From a young age I was exposed to all types of musical instruments and felt like I wanted to play them all.  Just before my 4th birthday I begged my mother for violin lessons and I began take formal lessons with Mrs. Patrice Minor Floyd in Tallahassee.

At around 6 years old I started taking lessons with Dr. Valerie Arsenault who was responsible for developing me into the violinist that I am today. I studied with Dr. Arsenault for over 12 years during which I really advanced in my skills.  

While violin was my main musical focus growing up, I had many other musical experiences that contributed to my development. My grandfather was a voice professor at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University for 50 years.  My grandmother was a concert pianist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was a piano teacher in Tallahassee, so naturally I was also attracted to playing piano and singing.

I never really took formal lessons, but I loved to learn new pieces on the piano growing up. I remember playing for Sunday School, the Praise Team and the Choir at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and learning pieces by ear. Thank you, Rev. Holmes, for cultivating ministries that interest me which helped me cultivate my love for God and music. 

I also remember learning standard classical piano pieces and pop/R&B music. Even though I did not take formal lessons I auditioned and made it into FSU’s honors piano camp when I was in high school.

When I was in 10th grade Mrs. Anita L. Davis nurtured and encouraged me to compete in the National ACT-SO competition with the NAACP.  I did so and won first prize nationally in the classical music tradition with the piece Prelude in C# minor by Rachmaninoff on Piano.  

At my high school, I participated in orchestra, chorus, and band. I wanted to be involved in everything and anything music. I remember playing football where I would also get to march in the half time show with the band, then play the rest of the football game.

I also participated in the Florida All State Chorus and Orchestra during my high school years. I played the lead role in our school musical for "Annie get your Gun" and "The Sound of Music."

All these experiences really helped to shape me into the full musician that I am today.  I am so grateful for the diverse musical upbringing I was able to have. I am truly thankful for the countless family friends and mentors who consistently gave of their time, energy, money, love, talent and tutelage to me. Thanks, Tally Town.”

Addendum 

Aaron King Vaughn, who is in Valencia, Spain, competing in the City of Music International Orchestral competition, said he would have never had this opportunity to conduct if it were not for his college professor and conductor of music, Dr. Alexander Jimenez at the Florida State University. 

After reading the article Vaughn wanted to let the community know that there are so many other people who helped him achieve his musical accomplishments.

Vaughn added: “I really started to seriously get interested in conducting during my bachelor’s degree program at FSU. I got to play under Alexander Jimenez Director of Orchestra’s at FSU during this time and watching the positive impact he had on the ensembles was really inspiring. I would go home trying to recreate, imitate, and imagine what it would have been like to do what he does. After pulling together some ensemble and masterclasses of my own I began to study with Dr. J.  Eventually, I would go on to do a masters in orchestral conducting under his leadership. That experience is where much of my conducting knowledge was gained.  I was challenged musically and philosophically.” 

Update: This article was modified to include additional information in the addendum.

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