Dr. Charles “Jeffrey” Vaughan

Charles Jeffrey Vaughan was born in Gainesville, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in trumpet performance from Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge) in 1997.  In 1999, he began teaching high school band at Tara High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2001, he moved to Slidell, Louisiana, to become assistant director of bands at Northshore High School. After one year, he became director of bands, a position he held until 2004. Under his direction, the Northshore bands consistently received superior ratings in marching band, concert band, and jazz band at state and national festivals.

In 2004, Dr. Vaughan became associate director of bands at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana. While at SELU, he directed the "Spirit of the Southland" Marching Band and other athletic bands. He was also director of the Symphonic Band, and appeared frequently as a guest conductor with the SELU Wind Symphony. He received a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from SELU in 2006.

In 2007, Dr. Vaughan moved back to Gainesville, Florida, to pursue a Ph.D. in music education with an emphasis in wind conducting at the University of Florida. He studied conducting with Dr. David Waybright throughout his 4 years at UF. During his time at the university, Dr. Vaughan was a graduate assistant with the Florida bands, and the music education department. He was the instructor for the Brass Skills I/II course and co-taught instrumental conducting. In addition, he was graduate conductor with the Symphonic Band and the Wind Symphony, and mentored undergraduate conducting students.  Dr. Vaughan was also on staff with the Gator Marching Band, and served as a graduate conductor for the Basketball Bands. In 2010-11, he also directed the Buchholz High School Jazz Ensemble in Gainesville, Florida.

In 2011, Dr. Vaughan was appointed as associate professor to the College of Central Florida. His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Symphony, the Patriot Blues Jazz Band, and teaching courses in music theory and music education. Dr. Vaughan's professional affiliations consist of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Florida Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Conference, and College Music Society. Dr. Vaughan was also initiated as an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi during his tenure at Southeastern Louisiana University.