Aaron Apaza '08MM appointed principal bassoon of Knoxville Symphony Orchestra

Aaron Apaza '08MM was recently appointed principal bassoon of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. He was among four musicians added to the orchestra's roster for the 2013–14 season.

As an orchestral musician, Aaron Apaza served most recently as acting assistant principal bassoon with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (2011–12 season). Aaron spent two years at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan studying with Barrick Stees, assistant principal bassoon of the Cleveland Orchestra. In 2001, Aaron was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, and as part of that honor, performed a movement from Gordon Jacob's Concerto for Bassoon at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

After Interlochen, Aaron studied at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia under the tutelage of Bernard Garfield, retired Principal Bassoon of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Mr. Apaza then continued his studies at the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Frank Morelli. Upon completion of his studies at Yale, Aaron was invited to join the New World Symphony in Miami, where he performed under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. In 2010, Mr. Apaza joined the Colorado Symphony as acting assistant principal bassoon for the 2010–2011 season. In addition, Aaron has played with, among others, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony, and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.