CGE 2021-22 Mentor
Kat Rodriguez
At the age of 10, encouraged by her percussionist father, Kat picked up her first musical instrument, the clarinet. Later realizing that clarinet and classical music was not the only musical career she wanted to pursue, she began playing alto saxophone and began to learn jazz and other contemporary styles of music. That was the best decision she ever made.
In 2001, Kat was awarded the International Women in Jazz award by legendary bassist Caroline Ray and Vocalist Lenora Helm. She received a fellowship to study music with Saxophonist/recording artist Antonio Hart. After auditioning for several colleges Kat accepted a full Scholarship to The New School University in New York City, where she graduated with a BFA in Jazz Saxophone and Composition.
Since then Kat has gone on to perform with the likes of Beyonce, Erykah Badu, Eric Bennett, Anthony Hamilton, Luke James, Nikki Minaj, Louis Bauso, Patato Valdes, JJ Hairston, and Youthful Praise, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Slim Thug, Jill Scott, Marsha Ambrosius, Keri Hilson, Keisha Cole, VV Brown, Monica, Ledisi, Kelly Price, George Michaels, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary, Elle Varner, Tina Turner, Mary J.Blige, Missy Elliot, Estelle and Ciara to name a few. Kat was invited by the President of the US Barack Obama and had the honor and privilege to perform for the FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s Birthday with Beyoncé at the white house. Kat has recorded with Destiny’s Child, DJ Mark Ronson, Rap Artist Mobb Deep, Beyonce, Michelle Williams, Gospel artist Kierra Sheard, Anthony Hamilton, 50 Cent's, Kelly Clarkson, Keyon Harrold.
In 2006 Beyonce audition for an all-female band. Kat was one of 1000 girls who auditioned and got hand-picked by Beyoncé herself. Since then Kat has recorded the Live DVDs; The Beyoncé Experience, the I...Am Tour, Live at Roseland, Live at Revel, Mrs. Carter Tour, On The Run Tour. She has also performed in numerous TV appearances which include Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, Black Girls Rock Awards, Today Show, Good Morning America, T in the Park, Glastonbury Music Festival, Tyra Banks, Bet Awards, American Music Awards, Fashion Rocks, Grammy's, The View, X-Factor in London, Superbowl XVLII, Oxygen, Chime for Change, MTV Awards, American Idol and World Music Awards to name a few. After being around the world a few times with the superstar Kat became one of the speakers for the BeyGood foundation Beyoncé founded. It is a Foundation that does outreach programs in communities all over the world. This opportunity made Kat realize her love for teaching.
In 2014 Kat pursued a Masters's in Applied Education from Lehman College in NYC and joined the faculty at Young at Arts in Bronxville. Since then, she has become the Instrumental Director of the program and the Instrumental Director of the Sing for Hope Amani Lab. In 2017, Kat joined Beyonce for her country music award debut with the Dixie Chicks and recorded the live version of "Daddy Lessons". Kat also joined Beyonce for her Tidal X performance and Grammy private screening for Lemonade and was featured by Beyonce in "All Night Long". Kat has kept her residency with the amazing Kim Burse in the Black Girls Rock Award show house band. Kat is the Music Teacher at New Visions AMS High School, and just joined the faculty of Brooklyn College as the New Professor in the Jazz Faculty in the Director of Big Band position.
Kat is endorsed by Cannonball, BG neckstraps, Hercules Stands, Jakob Winter Cases, Vandoren, and Eventide.
In 2001, Kat was awarded the International Women in Jazz award by legendary bassist Caroline Ray and Vocalist Lenora Helm. She received a fellowship to study music with Saxophonist/recording artist Antonio Hart. After auditioning for several colleges Kat accepted a full Scholarship to The New School University in New York City, where she graduated with a BFA in Jazz Saxophone and Composition.
Since then Kat has gone on to perform with the likes of Beyonce, Erykah Badu, Eric Bennett, Anthony Hamilton, Luke James, Nikki Minaj, Louis Bauso, Patato Valdes, JJ Hairston, and Youthful Praise, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Slim Thug, Jill Scott, Marsha Ambrosius, Keri Hilson, Keisha Cole, VV Brown, Monica, Ledisi, Kelly Price, George Michaels, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar, Mary Mary, Elle Varner, Tina Turner, Mary J.Blige, Missy Elliot, Estelle and Ciara to name a few. Kat was invited by the President of the US Barack Obama and had the honor and privilege to perform for the FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s Birthday with Beyoncé at the white house. Kat has recorded with Destiny’s Child, DJ Mark Ronson, Rap Artist Mobb Deep, Beyonce, Michelle Williams, Gospel artist Kierra Sheard, Anthony Hamilton, 50 Cent's, Kelly Clarkson, Keyon Harrold.
In 2006 Beyonce audition for an all-female band. Kat was one of 1000 girls who auditioned and got hand-picked by Beyoncé herself. Since then Kat has recorded the Live DVDs; The Beyoncé Experience, the I...Am Tour, Live at Roseland, Live at Revel, Mrs. Carter Tour, On The Run Tour. She has also performed in numerous TV appearances which include Oprah, Ellen Degeneres, Black Girls Rock Awards, Today Show, Good Morning America, T in the Park, Glastonbury Music Festival, Tyra Banks, Bet Awards, American Music Awards, Fashion Rocks, Grammy's, The View, X-Factor in London, Superbowl XVLII, Oxygen, Chime for Change, MTV Awards, American Idol and World Music Awards to name a few. After being around the world a few times with the superstar Kat became one of the speakers for the BeyGood foundation Beyoncé founded. It is a Foundation that does outreach programs in communities all over the world. This opportunity made Kat realize her love for teaching.
In 2014 Kat pursued a Masters's in Applied Education from Lehman College in NYC and joined the faculty at Young at Arts in Bronxville. Since then, she has become the Instrumental Director of the program and the Instrumental Director of the Sing for Hope Amani Lab. In 2017, Kat joined Beyonce for her country music award debut with the Dixie Chicks and recorded the live version of "Daddy Lessons". Kat also joined Beyonce for her Tidal X performance and Grammy private screening for Lemonade and was featured by Beyonce in "All Night Long". Kat has kept her residency with the amazing Kim Burse in the Black Girls Rock Award show house band. Kat is the Music Teacher at New Visions AMS High School, and just joined the faculty of Brooklyn College as the New Professor in the Jazz Faculty in the Director of Big Band position.
Kat is endorsed by Cannonball, BG neckstraps, Hercules Stands, Jakob Winter Cases, Vandoren, and Eventide.