Carlos Vega, born and raised in Miami, Florida, is a graduate of the University of Miami (1989) B.M., Florida International University (2001) M.M. and University of Illinois in Champaign‐ Urbana (2009) D.M.A.

Dr. Vega is an Assistant Professor of Jazz and Multicultural Studies at Texas State University and is the conductor of the Jazz Lab Band and Orquesta del Rio. Other duties include teaching sections of Caribbean/Salsa Music History and Jazz Improvisation as well as maintaining a Jazz Saxophone Studio.
Dr. Vega’s has performed throughout much of North and South America, as well as extended tours of Europe and Africa. Dr. Vega has also performed with such international artists as Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Arturo Sandoval, Tito Puente, Tito Puente Jr., and Ira Sullivan, as well as featured on CD’s by country singer Lorrie Morgan and swing singer Deana Martin (Dean Martin’s Daughter). Dr. Vega is currently an active performer, clinician and adjudicator in Texas and Illinois.