Vaughn Mauren
Artistic Director, 2017–2022

Vaughn Mauren was named Organist and Choirmaster at St. James's Episcopal Church, West Hartford, in 2014, having previously served as Director of Music for Young at Arts and Associate Organist at Christ Church, Bronxville; Organist of the Episcopal Church at Yale; and Organist and Choirmaster of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

In addition to his work as a liturgical musician, Vaughn served on the vocal coaching faculties of Sarah Lawrence College and Concordia College, New York, and conducted chamber operas by Britten and Menotti, as well as several musical theater productions while at Young at Arts. He served as Chorusmaster for Connecticut Concert Opera's 2015 production of Tosca, Opera Connecticut's 2016 production of Hansel and Gretel and their 2017 production of Rigoletto.

Born in New York City and raised in Albany, New York, Vaughn began his musical career as a chorister in the Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, Albany, and later at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Albany. He continued his organ studies with John Rose at Trinity College (Hartford), earning a B. A. with Honors in Music in 2007, and at the Yale School of Music and Institute of Sacred Music, earning a M. M. in Organ Performance in 2009 under Martin Jean, Thomas Murray and Jeffrey Brillhart. He has performed solo organ recitals at the American Cathedral in Paris, Washington National Cathedral, St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and as a collaborate organist with Sigur Rós at Lincoln Center’s White Light Festival.

In addition to his role as Artistic Director of ASOF Hartford, Vaughn is Dean of the Greater Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and has directed a Pipe Organ Encounter at Trinity College for teen organists from around the country.