T. Edward Vives, born in 1964 in Auburn, Alabama, began his musical journey at four. Starting with piano studies under Edgar and Dorothy Glyde, his early fascination with music quickly blossomed. He expanded his musical skills by taking up trombone performances and delving into music composition, nurturing his talents throughout his public school years.
He chose Florida State University for his higher education, where he pursued bachelor's degrees in Composition and Music Education. During this period, he studied under accomplished composers John Boda and Charles Carter, greatly influencing his compositional style. Simultaneously, he honed his trombone performance under William Cramer and John Drew and immersed himself in conducting studies with James Croft. This diverse educational background laid a strong foundation for his multifaceted musical career.