Jose Aguilar, clarinetist at Northwestern University

Northwestern University · Class of 2028

Jose Aguilar

Clarinetist. Scholar. Researcher.
Dual-degree student bridging the disciplines of music, law, and international affairs.

Bienen School of Music Tanglewood Alumnus Bilingual EN · ES Elliot Scholars Program
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Two Disciplines.
One Vision.

Jose Aguilar professional portrait
Evanston, Illinois · 2025

Jose Aguilar is a Northwestern University sophomore pursuing simultaneous degrees in Political Science at Weinberg College and Clarinet Performance at the Bienen School of Music — two demanding programs he pursues in parallel without compromise.

As a performer, Jose has appeared with some of the most prestigious youth music programs in the country, including the Tanglewood Young Artists Orchestra, where he participated for three consecutive summers under the umbrella of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. He has served as Principal Clarinet across multiple top Florida orchestras and wind ensembles, and studies under principal clarinetists of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

As a researcher and emerging legal professional, Jose has worked as a Research Assistant at Northwestern, assisting on legal case file analysis, document drafting, and client proceedings — and completed a contract internship in Mexico City supporting insurance legal operations.

He is a member of the Elliot Scholars Program at the Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, reflecting his deep interest in international relations and public policy. Native bilingual in English and Spanish, Jose brings a cross-cultural perspective that informs both his artistic interpretation and his analytical work.

3
Tanglewood Seasons
2
Simultaneous Degrees
4.0
High School GPA

Music & Performance

Trained at the highest levels of classical performance, Jose brings the discipline and precision of a professional musician to every engagement — from orchestral principal roles to chamber music and solo recital.

  • 2024 – Present Northwestern University – Bienen School of Music B.M. Clarinet Performance. Studies with principal clarinetists of the Chicago Symphony and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestras.
  • 2022 – 2024 Boston University Tanglewood Institute Young Artists Orchestra clarinetist for three seasons. Woodwind Quintet Workshop with Valerie Coleman & the Imani Winds.
  • 2023 Juilliard School – Summer Winds Admitted to the elite, audition-only summer woodwind program.
  • 2024 Palm Beach Symphony – Lisa Bruna Award Annual award for outstanding high school senior clarinetist. Recipient of a professional-grade instrument.
  • 2020 – 2024 Principal Clarinet Dreyfoos Philharmonic · Palm Beach Youth Orchestra · Florida All-State Band
  • Feb 2026 Sophomore Recital – Northwestern University Solo recital at Bienen School of Music.

Research, Law & Policy

  • Research Assistant Dec 2024 – Present
    Northwestern University · Evanston, IL
    • Conducted legal research and case file analysis supporting senior staff.
    • Drafted, reviewed, and organized legal documents and correspondence.
    • Summarized depositions and prepared internal memoranda.
    • Observed client meetings and legal proceedings; direct exposure to legal strategy.
  • Legal Contract Intern May – Jun 2025
    Protección Médico Legal · Mexico City, MX
    • Reviewed client contracts for insurance processing accuracy.
    • Managed and validated data entry into company legal database.
    • Maintained information system used by insurers to track legal procedures.
  • Elliot Scholars Program 2024 – Present
    Buffett Institute for Global Affairs · Northwestern
    • Selected for the Elliot Scholars cohort focused on global affairs and policy leadership.
    • Engages with international affairs scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.
Northwestern University
B.A. Political Science — Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences
B.M. Clarinet Performance — Bienen School of Music
Expected May 2028
A.W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts
High School Diploma · Music Major
GPA: 4.0 Unweighted · 4.9 Weighted
AP Scholar with Distinction · National Hispanic Recognition Award
Graduated May 2024
Technical Proficiencies
Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Legal Research: LexisNexis & Westlaw
Languages: English (Native) · Spanish (Native/Bilingual)

Awards & Honors

Lisa Bruna Award
Palm Beach Symphony · 2024
Annual award recognizing the outstanding high school senior clarinetist through competitive audition. Prize includes a professional-grade instrument.
National Hispanic Recognition Award
College Board · 2024
College Board recognition for academic achievement among Hispanic and Latino students nationwide. Among the top performers on the PSAT/NMSQT.
AP Scholar with Distinction
College Board · 2024
Awarded to students who score 3 or higher on five or more AP Exams, with an average score of at least 3.5 across all exams taken.
Gold Seal of Biliteracy
State of Florida · 2024
Recognizes students who attain high levels of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in English and Spanish.
Tanglewood Young Artists Orchestra
Boston University Tanglewood Institute · 2022–2024
Accepted by competitive audition for three consecutive years into one of America's most prestigious summer orchestral training programs at the Tanglewood Music Festival.
Elliot Scholars Program
Buffett Institute for Global Affairs · Northwestern · 2024
Selected for a competitive cohort program at Northwestern's premier center for global engagement, international policy research, and world affairs leadership.

Skills & Competencies

Performance
Clarinet (B♭ & A) Piano Chamber Music Orchestral Principal Wind Ensemble Solo Recital
Legal & Research
Legal Research LexisNexis Westlaw Contract Review Deposition Summary Memo Writing
Policy & Affairs
Political Science Electoral Analysis Global Affairs Public Policy Debate Research & Analysis
Languages & Tech
English (Native) Spanish (Native) MS Word MS Excel PowerPoint

Let's Work Together

Orchestral, chamber, solo · Research & policy · Legal internships