James Aaron Hardwick

James “Aaron” Hardwick is a rising force in the classical music world, known as a trending voice in the performance of video game music on the symphonic stage. As founder of Full Lobby, LLC, he curates genre-bending concert experiences that blend the emotional depth of classical music with the immersive storytelling of video game soundtracks—reshaping how audiences engage with orchestral performance.

A passionate conductor, educator, and collaborator, Hardwick has led performances with the Münchner Rundfunkorchester (Munich Radio Orchestra), Winston-Salem Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Brevard Philharmonic, Williamsburg Symphony, and many others. He was a finalist in the 2021 Erno Lányi International Conducting Competition, a participant in the 2020 European Union International Conducting Competition, and a Summer Conducting Fellow at the Eastman School of Music.

Hardwick’s interdisciplinary projects, including Paving the Way and We Play Together, aim to revolutionize music education and community engagement. Recognized nationally, he has received honors such as Yale University's Distinguished Music Educator’s Award and was named one of Hampton Roads’ Most Outstanding Music Educators two years in a row by the Virginia Symphony. Whether bringing new audiences to the concert hall through game music or inspiring the next generation of musicians, James “Aaron” Hardwick is redefining what it means to be a conductor in the 21st century.

Hardwick received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance (Conducting) at Shenandoah Conservatory. He earned a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor’s degree in Music with honors from East Carolina University.

Experience the magic of live orchestral music as J. Aaron Hardwick conducts the Munich Radio Orchestra in an exclusive video game music concert. Click below to explore concert dates, behind-the-scenes content, and special previews of the event.