Michael Vaughn

Dr. Michael Vaughn has been a respected member of the higher education community in the Chicago area for over 20 years.  A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Dr. Vaughn earned his Bachelor’s degree at Birmingham-Southern College, where he studied piano and organ, and holds a Master’s and Ph.D in music history and literature from Northwestern University.  He is well known as a lecturer and teacher, speaking regularly for scholarly, community, and civic organizations across the country. He holds memberships in numerous professional societies.  He is the program director of the Skokie Valley Symphony Orchestra, and chairman of the Bonnie and Lee Malmed Young Artist Competition.  A published author, his work has appeared in several scholarly journals, and he was recently a major contributor to A Reader’s Guide to Music History, Theory and Criticism. Dr. Vaughn has served on the faculties of Trinity College, Northwestern University, and is currently Professor of Music at National -Louis University in Chicago, where he teaches courses in music history, music theory, and applied music.  He has twice been recognized with the Outstanding Faculty Member award.

In addition to his academic career, Dr. Vaughn has long been involved in the marching arts, as a performer, teacher, and judge.  Most recently he was the director of the guard program at Niles-West High School in suburban Chicago, where his guards consistently earned finalist rankings in the Midwest Color Guard Circuit.  He continues to serve as a clinician and adjudicator in the color guard, general effect, and visual captions.  He is also actively involved, in various capacities, with Winter Guard International and Drum Corps International.  Dr. Vaughn joined the staff of The Cavaliers in 2009.  He served as the manager of Cavaliers Promotions, Tour Director, and Personnel Director before being appointed Corps Director in 2019.