AV
Aaron Villarreal is a versatile percussionist, educator, and composer whose musical expertise spans classical, contemporary, and non-western percussion traditions. An active performer across Illinois, he is also a faculty member at Millikin University, where he directs the Percussion Ensemble, teaches Percussion Methods and Music Appreciation, and provides private lessons. Additionally, Aaron serves as an instructor at the Millikin Community Arts Academy, where he directs the Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra Percussion Ensemble and founded the Millikin Community Percussion Ensemble in 2022.
Aaron’s passion for Latin music began at an early age, inspired by his father, which led him to pursue conga drumming. In 2012, he traveled to Havana, Cuba, where he studied Afro-Cuban percussion with José Eladio Amat at the Instituto Superior de Arte. After concluding his studies with master percussionist Michael Spiro (Wayne Wallace Quintet) at Indiana University, Aaron created New Recital Solos for Congas, an innovative performance curriculum featuring nine original compositions for the instrument. He remains committed to integrating non-western music into contemporary percussion performance and pedagogy.
As a soloist, Aaron has presented numerous recitals and performed as a concerto soloist with the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra (Azul by Golijov, Concerto Rustico by Blazewicz), the Millikin Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Concertino for Four Percussion and Wind Ensemble by Gillingham), and the Decatur Municipal Band (Concerto for Marimba by Ewazen, Concertino for Solo Percussion and Band by Curnow). In 2012, he won the Hollis Prize Competition, which led to a solo recital at the Harold Washington Library in Chicago. Two years later, he was named a semifinalist at the Great Plains Marimba Competition.
Aaron’s performance career includes serving as Associate Timpanist with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Principal Timpanist with the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra and Decatur Municipal Band, and frequent collaborations with the Illinois Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, Cardinal Stage Company, Millikin Opera Theatre, and Theatre 7.
In 2024, Aaron was honored to present Conga Drums in Latin Jazz at the Illinois Music Education Conference. A dedicated proponent of music education, he regularly delivers guest lectures on Afro-Cuban music and has led percussion clinics at institutions such as Northwestern University, Indiana University, Millikin University, and Richland Community College. Aaron is also dedicated to fostering the development of young musicians, having worked with percussion students across central Illinois. His outreach includes collaborations with a range of schools and community programs, where he mentors aspiring musicians and leads percussion clinics.
Aaron holds degrees from Millikin University (BM), Northwestern University (MM), and the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (DM), where he was a Barbara and David Jacobs Fellow. His studies have included training with distinguished percussionists such as She-e Wu, Christopher Lamb, David Herbert, and James Ross. He has also worked with the Amadinda Percussion Group.
