A native of the Dominican Republic, Vargas began his studies at a young age with renowned Cuban pianist and pedagogue Karelia Escalante. He was an active participant in and winner of national and international competitions, including the Manuel Rueda award in 2005 in the Dominican Republic's Festival of Latin American Music, third prize in the Steinway Society of Massachusetts competition, second prize in the Churchill Scholarship competition, and second prize in the Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition. Vargas has a particular interest in developing programs that facilitate musical education for the underprivileged. A 2008 grant from the Boston Public Library allowed him to create a piano program through which dozens of children are able to receive free lessons in piano and theory. In 2012, Vargas co-founded (with Colombian violinist José Romero) the Macondo Chamber Players, an organization that brings together established and emerging artists from Latin America and the world to perform chamber music, teach young people, and encourage international understanding. Since its creation, the group has given tours in the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Turkey, receiving praise from both audiences and the press. Awarded the Zitrin scholarship in 2005, Vargas completed both his B.M. and M.M. at Boston Conservatory under the guidance of Jonathan Bass.