CGE 2022-23 Mentor
Erica von Kleist
Multi-instrumentalist, teacher and entrepreneur Erica von Kleist began her career as a saxophonist and flautist in the New York jazz scene. A native of Connecticut, Erica moved to the city to study at the renowned Juilliard School and in 2004 earned the first bachelor’s degree in jazz in the school’s history. After graduation, Erica’s next ten years were met with performances, tours and several Grammy-Nominated recordings with various artists including the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Chris Potter, Sean Jones, Seth MacFarlane, Rufus Reid, The Addams Family on Broadway among others. Honored with two ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Awards, several mentions in Downbeat Magazine’s annual Readers and Critics Polls, and the Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center, Erica extended her scope as a bandleader with the release of four albums; Project E, Erica von Kleist & No Exceptions, Alpine Clarity, and INTERSPLOSION!: Live at Dizzy’s Club with tap dancer DeWitt Fleming Jr. Since relocating to Montana, Erica has honed her songwriting and comedy chops, having written a staged musical entitled “SORRY!”, and co-writing an award-winning film “Your Musical is Cancelled. The Musical!” In 2022 and 2023 she will be embarking on a musical comedy tour with her original solo show “BOOBS!”, slated for performances in Seattle, Albany, Oregon, New York and St. Louis.
A teacher for over 20 years, Erica has always had a passion for education. Her theory textbook A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory has been used as a curriculum for several middle and high school jazz programs. As a clinician, Erica has lectured in music business and performance at The Juilliard School, UNC Greensboro, University of Scranton, University of Montana, Stanford University, and has been an adjudicator for the Essentially Ellington Festival, and a faculty member for Carnegie Hall’s NYO Jazz Program.
Erica currently resides in Whitefish, MT and proudly endorses R.S Berkeley Instruments.
A teacher for over 20 years, Erica has always had a passion for education. Her theory textbook A Cool Approach to Jazz Theory has been used as a curriculum for several middle and high school jazz programs. As a clinician, Erica has lectured in music business and performance at The Juilliard School, UNC Greensboro, University of Scranton, University of Montana, Stanford University, and has been an adjudicator for the Essentially Ellington Festival, and a faculty member for Carnegie Hall’s NYO Jazz Program.
Erica currently resides in Whitefish, MT and proudly endorses R.S Berkeley Instruments.