Arie VandeWaa is the Assistant Professor of Trombone at Louisiana State University. Prior to his appointment at LSU, Arie taught trombone and music business courses at the University of South Alabama from 2016 to 2024. In 2022, Arie was appointed Bass Trombone of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and Principal Trombone of the Mobile Opera Orchestra. A Mobile, Alabama native, he has also performed on both tenor and bass trombone with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Baton Rouge, Alabama, Huntsville, Pensacola, Gulf Coast, and Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestras, as well as with the Mobile Big Band Society, The Pensacola Jazz Society, the 2022 NEA Heritage Fellow Excelsior Band, and Jazz, Commercial, Second Line, and Chamber ensembles throughout the Gulf Coast.
Arie completed his Bachelor’s degree in Music with elective studies in Business at the University of South Alabama, where he studied with Dr. Greg Gruner, and completed his Master’s Degree and Doctoral Degree at the University of Alabama, where he studied with Dr. Jon Whitaker.
“I play Edwards instruments on both tenor and bass because when I think of the ideal trombone sound, I only ever hear an Edwards sound in my head. Edwards horns are incredibly comfortable and versatile, and I can’t imagine making music without them.”