Aaron Thacker-Woodruff is an award-winning director, choreographer, and pedagogical leader dedicated to bridging bold artistic vision with organizational excellence. Currently serving as the Dean of Students & Belonging at Northwest Academy, he oversees institutional culture while leading the middle school choral and musical theatre programs—a portfolio that includes recent productions of Once Upon a Mattress (2025) and HONK! (2024), alongside nine youth choral concerts.

Aaron holds an M.F.A. in Performance Pedagogy from Tulane University, earned as a Newcomb Department of Music teaching fellow. He specializes in leading diverse ensembles toward a cohesive narrative through a process defined by curiosity and joy. His administrative and choral experience is extensive; as the former Chair of Musicianship for the Chicago Center for Music Education (ChiME), he managed seven youth choral programs simultaneously, overseeing curriculum, instruction, and performance logistics across Chicago.

Whether securing corporate support in New Orleans or guiding international choral students to first-place championships, Aaron’s career is marked by a steadfast commitment to community. In every arena, he focuses on empowering groups to reach their own definitions of "highest potential." 

Aaron creates spaces where technical precision meets personal truth. He guides ensembles toward a unified vision while empowering every performer to show up as their truest self.