Born and raised in Santa Maria, California, Aaron was first introduced to music at 5 years old when he received a child size drum set for Christmas. He later played piano and the alto saxophone before switching to guitar at the age of 9, learning his first chords from his father. He played in several local bands in high school in a range of musical styles like rock, blues, funk, and reggae. Aaron furthered his education in music, graduating from San Jose State University with a BA in Jazz Studies, and after college, began working as a freelance musician and guitar teacher. He now resides in San Diego, California, where he teaches, freelances, and plays banjo in world punk band QUEL BORDEL!