About Will
Will Vargas was born in Hollywood, CA and spent his formative years in Southern California. His love for music was sparked at an early age, thanks to his favorite cartoons, particularly The Simpsons. When his elementary school music teacher asked him which instrument he wanted to play, Will immediately chose the saxophone, inspired by Lisa Simpson's iconic jazz solos. His parents rented him an old, beat-up saxophone to see if his interest would endure, and to their pleasant surprise, he kept playing it all through middle school. With their unwavering support, they upgraded his instrument and invested in private lessons with Ray Engle, a skilled instructor who taught Will the importance of focused practice. Engle also exposed him to a variety of concerts and musical performances, fueling Will's passion and inspiring him to become the professional musician he is today.
During his senior year at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Will Vargas had the opportunity to study under Rusty Higgins. It was under Higgins' tutelage that he was introduced to the concept of elevating his doubles to the same level as his primary instrument. He spent countless hours honing his technique on the clarinet and flute, and even sought to improve his fundamentals by studying with a straight flute player as suggested by Higgins. As Will continued his studies at Azusa Pacific University under the guidance of Professor Teri Mason-Christian(flute), his passion for doubling only grew. He landed his first professional gig while still in college, touring with a musical theater production. It was during this time that Will expanded his musical knowledge to include the oboe. By the time he returned to Los Angeles, he was determined to be a full-time musician.
After committing to a career as a professional musician, Will set out to gain the essential ingredient for success: experience. He toured nationally and internationally with various musical theater productions and rock groups, as well as spending several years playing on cruise ships. With his accumulated professional experience, he secured an audition with the original Disneyland Band and was hired as a sub. This allowed him to continue working on other music projects as they came his way. Will also performed in local musical theater pits and earned a spot on many contractor's lists for various big bands, top 40 bands, wedding bands, and session work. A standout moment in his career occurred when he had the opportunity to play alongside Terry Harrington, the musician behind Lisa Simpson's iconic bari sax sound and the person who ignited his love for music. It was an unforgettable experience to personally thank Harrington for his inspiration.
Although he works worldwide, Will primarily performs in Southern California, specifically Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. He cherishes the close-knit community of musicians in the region. His recent work includes a national theater tour of Mean Girls in San Diego and the world premiere of the new musical Lempika at the La Jolla Playhouse. In Los Angeles, you may spot him subbing at Disneyland, playing in a theater pit, performing at private events, recording sessions, or sharing the stage with some of the many phenomenal musicians the city has to offer. Will is passionate about his craft and can't imagine doing anything else.
Will is currently a member of
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