Our Director

James “Aaron” Hardwick
Mr. Hardwick began his music career at an early age performing in venues throughout North Carolina and the southeastern United States.

He holds his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from East Carolina University.  While in attendance at East Carolina, he continued his viola studies under the instruction of Ara Gregorian and Nicholas Cords.  He studied conducting under the instruction of Hisao Watanabe and Jorge Richter.

He moved to Virginia Beach in 2007 and is now entering his fifth year as Director of Orchestras at Frank W. Cox High School.  Mr. Hardwick is a sought after guest conductor and clinician and has worked with youth orchestras all around the United States.  In 2012 he was invited to conduct the Xibus World Tour Orchestra in collaboration with the Turtle Island String Quartet, the Boston String Quartet, and award winning composer Benjamin Rosenblum at Jordan Hall in Boston, MA.

In 2011 Mr. Hardwick was one of 50 teachers in the nation, honored by Yale University to receive the Yale Distinguished Music Educator’s Award. He has also be distinguished by Virginia Beach City Public Schools as an outstanding music educator.  In 2011, Mr. Hardwick proudly joined the staff of the Bay Youth Orchestras of Virginia as the new conductor of the Bay Youth Concert Orchestra (www.bayyouth.org).

He is currently a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the Virginia Music Educators Association, the American String Teachers Association, and the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association. He performs regularly as as session violinist and violist.

Mr. Hardwick resides in Chesapeake with his wife Christi and their son Christian.  He is dedicated to the advocacy of school orchestra and music programs everywhere.  For conducting, performing, educational, or speaking engagements please contact Mr. Hardwick at director@coxorchestra.com