With a sound described as “free and unforgettable,” Benjamin Vasko defies expectations on the tuba through genre fluency and the exploration of new music. As the Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Central Florida, Dr. Vasko puts a premium on group-based education and collaborative learning. He is the founder and director the Orlando Youth Tuba Ensemble, a high school-aged chamber group dedicated to elevating the performance level of young tuba and euphonium players.
Dr. Vasko has had the honor of performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Pops, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Charlotte Symphony, the Orquesta Nacional de España, and the Orlando Philharmonic. He tours with the Brookwood Trio and the Ben Diagram Duo, bringing unique instrumentations to stages and classrooms around the United States. His playing can be heard on labels such as BMOP/sound, Reference Recordings, Mark Records, and Pentatone, including the 2024 GRAMMY-nominated recording of “Lord of Cries,” by John Corigliano, with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project, and an upcoming debut album by the Brookwood Trio on Navona Records.
Dr. Vasko holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Texas and a Master of Music degree from the University of Georgia. His primary teachers have been Jorge Avendaño, Steve Haddad, Sam Pilafian, Charles Villarrubia, and David Zerkel. He completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Boston University under Mike Roylance.
Recordings
Teaching
University of Central Florida
The UCF Tuba/Euphonium Studio is part of “The Tubanauts,” a student-led club on campus at UCF. The Tubanauts are comprised of studio members, tuba/euphonium ensemble members, and non-majors alike who love the tuba and euphonium! Members of the UCF Tuba/Euphonium Studio have performed and presented at conferences across the country and have gone on to receive graduate assistantships at top schools.
My goal in applied instruction is to help each student find their own musical voice while ensuring that they have a technical command of their instrument that allows their voice to be heard. Community is key in combatting the stress and rigor of pursuing a career in music. Fostering a culture of positivity and peer encouragement in my studio is of utmost importance. Ultimately, I aspire to create a community of thoughtful, curious, and driven individuals. Through shared musical experience and rigorous but rewarding study, I hope to create a more well-rounded future generation of musicians, educators, and otherwise.
Find out more about auditioning at UCF here or contact Dr. Vasko at benjamin.vasko@ucf.edu.
Orlando Youth Tuba Ensemble
The Orlando Youth Tuba Ensemble was founded in 2024 to elevate the performance level of young tuba and euphonium players in Central Florida. Hosted at the University of Central Florida, OYTE provides repertoire that challenges students differently than traditional large ensemble music. The ensemble meets throughout the Spring.
Current UCF students volunteer as teachers and conductors and gain experience rehearsing with the group. Music Education majors who volunteer receive hours toward their teacher certifications.
No audition is required to join! Interested parties may reach out to Dr. Vasko at benjamin.vasko@ucf.edu.
