I fell in love at age 8...
The saxophone is the first love of my life. Nothing can beat that.
Karla Aristy is a graduate of the Aaron Copland School of Music in CUNY Queens College, having received her Masters of Music in Classical Saxophone Performance. She graduated Cum Laude from New York University, with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education. Karla has studied classical saxophone with Dr. Paul Cohen, and Dr. Timothy Ruedeman. Having played the saxophone for the past 20 years, Karla has received opportunities to perform in youth orchestras in Long Island, such as the Gemini Winds Ensemble (2004-2009), and the Nassau-Suffolk Performing Arts Concert Band (2007-2009). Karla has been selected as part of the NMEA All-County Concert Band (2005-2009), has participated in the 2009 NSSO Youth Artist Award
Competition, and was a recipient of the Award of Excellence from the LIAA Scholar Artist Competition (2009).
During her time in ACSM, Karla has performed in the QC Saxophone Ensemble (2013-current), the QC Wind Ensemble (2013-15), and both QC Saxophone Quartets (the "QQ" and the "OQQ") (2013-15). During her four years in NYU, Karla has found several chamber ensemble opportunities, including the NYU Saxophone Quartet (2013), and was a member of the NYU Concert Band (2010-2013) and NYU MEJE (Music Ed Jazz Ensemble) (2009-2013). In Spring 2011, Karla studied abroad in Florence, Italy, where she had the privilege of studying under Alda Dalle Lucche and working with the Fiesole conservatory students; providing many wonderful musical and cultural experiences.
Currently she performs as freelance, along with continuing her time with the QC Saxophone Ensemble. Presently, Karla is working in the Westbury UFSD as a music teacher in the Westbury Middle School. She was the Founding Music Teacher in Hamilton Grange Middle School (MS 209) and Music Teacher in The Mott Hall School (IS 223); creating music programs from scratch in both schools. She also teaches privately in the Seventh Street Music Corp.. Karla is also currently pursuing her Post-Masters Certificate in Educational Leadership at Stony Brook University.
Karla began playing the saxophone at the age of 8. She plays beginner level of the flute , clarinet, and piano, and has taken lessons for voice. Along with her passion for her saxophone and music, Karla has a strong desire to help students of all ages to find their own passion through music. Throughout her schooling, Karla has understood the extreme value and importance of music education in a child’s educational, social, and personal life and would love to be a part of that experience Besides music and education as her strong passions, she also spends her times studying the dances of Argentine Tango and Salsa, a new and exciting passion! She currently lives in her hometown on Long Island with her family.