December 9, 2004
Skagit Valley College student Aidrien Wilkins says music
"Is why I get up in the morning."
Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, WA
By ALLISON GOLDSTON
Name: Aidrien Wilkins, 20, of Oak Harbor, is a sophomore at Skagit Valley College.
Arts role: musician, specializing in classical and jazz guitar.
Recent accomplishments: Wilkins is a member of Skagit Valley College's jazz choir. Last year, the group attended a jazz festival in Reno, Nev., where Wilkins says they came "really close" to placing.
In the spring of 2005, the choir plans to travel to New Orleans for another jazz festival. The group is working to raise funds for the trip, doing "basically anything we can get our hands on, as long as it gets us there," Wilkins said.
He also plays electric guitar in a band called Final Bow. Wilkins describes the band as "Somewhere between loud enough for the kids and sensible enough for the adults," adding that even his mother attends.
Wilkins started taking private guitar lessons in high school, and now is taking classical guitar lessons.
Recently Wilkins received a $750 award from the American Federation of Musicians, an organization that supports young musicians pursuing a music career.
And he keeps busy as a guitar teacher. He has 23 guitars, some of which he loans to his students who aren't able to buy guitars.
An upcoming project: This winter, Wilkins will play jazz guitar with the jazz ensemble for the college's performance, "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
He's also perfecting his jazz and classical guitar techniques for upcoming university auditions.
Praise from associates: Jim Ducken, owner of Mr. Music in Oak Harbor, has been Wilkin's guitar instructor for several years. "He's just a very nice guy . . . the kind of kid you'd want to have for your own," Ducken said.
"He's one of those guys who will go places because he'll adapt to a situation."
In many ways, Wilkins is the ideal student. "He's like a sponge," absorbing everything he's taught, says Duckens. "He's so good around people."
Artistic goal in life: Wilkins is reviewing his college options, trying to decide if he wants to attend a school with strong jazz emphasis or one with classical training.
He wants to major in music education, with a performance minor, and is planning a career in education. "The bottom line is, whatever I do, it will involve music," Wilkins said.
He says he's not in it for the fame and glory, but if it happens, he won't turn it down.
"Just as long as I can live and play my music, I'll be happy."