School of Music Aaron Villarreal

Percussionist Aaron Villarreal is currently a Barbara and David Jacobs Fellow at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music and teaches percussion at Millikin University. He presently serves as music director for the Millikin Chamber Percussion Ensemble II, the Decatur Youth Symphony Orchestra Percussion Ensemble, and the Millikin Community Percussion Ensemble, and is a Faculty Percussion Instructor for the Millikin Community Arts Academy. Aaron is acting Principal Timpanist for the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra, served as Associate Timpanist for the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and has performed with groups including the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, Decatur Municipal Band, and Cardinal Stage Company. Aaron has been involved in various consortiums, commissions, and premiers of musical works. As part of the 2022 PAS (Percussive Arts Society) Illinois Percussion Day Showcase Concert, he gave a premiere performance of Aeryn Santillan’s recover, a work from the Everybody Hits! consortium. Aaron has been the recipient of various honors including the Presser Scholarship, Percussion Achievement Award (Millikin University), 3 Downbeat Students Music Awards, and the Pi Kappa Lambda Outstanding Senior Award (MU). Aaron holds degrees in percussion performance from both Millikin University (B.M.) and Northwestern University (M.M.).