Aaron Hirsch is quickly establishing himself as a leading figure of performance excellence in the Pacific Northwest. As the Assistant Conductor of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, he plans and leads the educational outreach concerts. Hirsch’s steadfast belief that symphonic music can be understood and enjoyed by everyone is a catalyst for how he programs his performances. A Past YSO Educational Concert called for students to submit short descriptive melodies that told a story. Winning entries were orchestrated by Aaron, and performed for the students with the orchestra. 

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Furthering his mission to bring the joys of classical music to all audiences, Hirsch is the conductor of the Yakima Music en Acción Philharmonia. This is the top ensemble in a Yakima-based, El-Sistema-style education model that provides instruments and instruction to under-served students of the city of Yakima. In this role, Hirsch helps prepare the students for a possible future in music involvement by stressing the importance of section unification, intonation, tone quality, collaboration, and communication. 

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Other important work involves Aaron’s life at Central Washington University. There, he teaches basic conducting courses and leads the chamber orchestra. Furthermore, Aaron serves as a collaborative pianist for many of the students and faculty of the music department, as well as a vocal coach for the opera program. At Central, Hirsch is greatly involved in performances of music both old and new. He has given a Musica Antiqua series lecture on the works of 17th-century composer Dieterich Buxtehude, performed Music for 18 by Steve Reich, and consistently assists  student composers by helping them realize their work in performances.

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Equally comfortable in front of all ensembles, Aaron has appeared in concert with the Young Musicians of Minnesota Festival Orchestra, West Seattle Community Orchestra, Oregon Bach Festival Baroque Orchestra with the University of Oregon Chamber Choir, Dresden Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra, Central Washington University Symphony, Chamber, and Opera orchestras, and the Wenatchee Valley Symphony Orchestra.

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As an organist, Hirsch has been featured as a recital soloist at CWU, Washington State University, Englewood Christian Church in Yakima, and also throughout his home state of Minnesota and its neighbors Wisconsin and South Dakota.

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Aaron holds degrees from Central Washington University (M.M. Conducting) where he studied with Nikolas Caoile. Prior to his work in Washington, Aaron achieved his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota (B.Mus. Organ Performance).

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Aaron currently resides in Ellensburg, WA with his incredible wife Erin Cone, and their amazing cat Ember.