Meet Caroline Scruggs: The Williamsburg Native Bringing the Theremin to the Spotlight

Caroline Scruggs, a Williamsburg, Virginia native, has captivated millions on TikTok—not with recipes or fashion, but by mastering the theremin, a unique, hands-free musical instrument. Her mesmerizing performances have earned over 10 million views and introduced countless fans to this ethereal-sounding instrument.

Scruggs, a 2014 graduate of Christopher Newport University (CNU), majored in music with a focus on classical vocal performance. While she originally dreamed of Broadway, her musical journey took an unexpected turn. During a 2017 visit to a musical instrument museum in Arizona, she encountered the theremin for the first time and was immediately captivated.

“At first, I was terrible at it,” she admits. “Yet, something just clicked in me. Playing it felt almost like a second voice.”

Determined to master the theremin, Scruggs leaned on her classical training from CNU and taught herself using online videos. The theremin, invented in 1920, produces sound by manipulating the distance of the hands from its two antennas—one controlling pitch and the other volume. Its haunting, voice-like tone and visual allure reminded Scruggs of casting a spell.

Her dedication has paid off. Scruggs recently performed the world premiere of Linda Kernohan’s Theremin Concerto with the Central Ohio Symphony and released her first album, Space. She continues to grow her audience on TikTok and YouTube, showcasing the theremin’s magic to the world.

Scruggs credits her time at CNU with giving her the foundation and confidence to explore unconventional paths in music. “It taught me the importance of discipline and being prepared. I am living proof that anything is possible—you don’t have to do it the conventional way.”

For Scruggs, the theremin is more than an instrument; it’s her destiny. “It sounds like an otherworldly voice and creates wonder. To foster that wonder for others is everything to me.”

Explore more about Caroline Scruggs and her music on her official website.