Aryana Nemati

Kansas City native Aryana Nemati has a true passion for music.  She has been playing the saxophone for the past 13 years in addition to flute and clarinet.  As she became more involved with music, she began studying with local baritone saxophonist/composer, Kerry Strayer.

Aryana continued to pursue her musical aspirations at UMKC’s conservatory.  She received her bachelor’s degree in Jazz Performance/Studio Music in the winter of 2014.  Here she has studied with Tim Timmons, Zach Shemon, Dan Thomas, and Bobby Watson.  She performed with both jazz and classical ensembles at the conservatory.  In the spring of 2017, Nemati completed her teaching assistance ship and received a master’s degree in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Today Nemati performs regularly with bands of various genres such as reggae, ska, jazz, salsa, motown, and funk.  She has performed at a number of music festivals including Walkarusa in Mulberry, Arkansas, SXSW in Austin, Texas, and the Middle of the Map Music Festival at home in Kansas City.  Nemati has recorded with many local artists.  She enjoys exploring all styles of music and understanding where each comes from. She has had the honor of playing with the following: Harry Connick Jr., Mindi Abair, Sister Carol, Reeko Lion, Naggo Morris, Harold ‘Spike’ Bonhart, Ernie A