Performer, composer, arranger and educator.
Armond Vance began his musical endeavors at the age of 12 after being inspired by a violinist he saw on YouTube playing a hip-hop tune on the violin. He was also motivated to play an instrument from the video game guitar hero. Armond would develop a strong passion for music under the tutelage of his orchestra directors in middle and high school. By the age of 15, he had already arranged a piece for an entire symphony and conducted them. Armond also developed a strong interest in the piano at the age of 13. Through tireless hours of practice and study Armond would find himself playing a piano concerto with the Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestra by the age of 17.
Armond would go on to major in music education at the Ohio State University under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Gillespie. He also studied viola performance and pedagogy with Dr. Juliet White Smith. While at Ohio State, Armond co-founded and led a professional string quintet, composed and arranged music for youth and professional orchestras such as the Toledo Symphony and the Columbus Chamber Youth Orchestra, and co directed an all Black African-American Youth Orchestra. During his senior year, he was selected to give a TEDx talk entitled “From Bach to 2Pac.” This video can be seen on YouTube.
As a performer, Armond has performed all around the country in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Colorado Springs, New York City. He has even performed in Salvador de Bahia in Brazil. His compositions and arrangements have also been performed by numerous school and professional orchestras across the country. His most recent major composition - Revolution was commissioned by the Toledo Symphony and dedicated to Elijah McClain in memory of his life cut short too soon through violence.
Armond loves to perform, teach, and create. He believes that music is a supernatural force that has the ability to heal, unite and amplify a salient message. Through his emotional, passionate and dynamic performances, Armond seeks to touch the souls of listeners by decorating time with colorful sonorities. His music can best be described as a cross-pollination between classical, hip-hop, R&B and soul. His goal isn’t to win a Grammy, but to introduce the audience to something unique while make a memorable, lasting impact on them.