Pianist and keyboardist Aaron found his passion for music when he started making “beats” for a rap group he started with a friend in 9th grade and began spending more time at the piano. Growing up in Oakland, California, his parents had signed him up for classical piano lessons when he was younger but he stopped going, not liking the very structured instructions to playing music. “I’m kind of a spontaneous person so I think that helps in jazz whether it’s listening to somebody else and reacting to it, or just playing what’s on your mind.” Improvising at Oaktown Jazz Workshops has given Aaron the opportunity to perform with other serious young musicians, “There is a feel for it here that I connect with and it’s pushed me to practice a lot and be a better musician. I hope to study music, play and gig in college.” Aaron will enter the School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz this September.