Vaughn Stoffey

Vaughn Stoffey is a guitarist from Coopersburg, Pennsylvania and one of the standout voices in modern metal guitar. As a member of the German death metal heavyweight Defeated Sanity, he has toured across four continents and built a reputation for precision, intensity, and a distinct musical vocabulary within extreme metal. Alongside his work as a performer, Vaughn brings a deep academic background to his playing, holding a B.M. from the New England Conservatory and an M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music. His training in Western classical and jazz traditions informs his approach to modern metal, giving his writing and technique a rare blend of sophistication and power.

At Sound Collective, Vaughn teaches with an emphasis on musical depth, technical control, and the practical application of advanced theory within heavy music. Students gain insight into everything from phrasing and technique to arranging and developing a personal sound within metal and its subgenres.