Renowned flautist, saxophonist, composer and educator Erica von Kleist has been a performing artist and teacher worldwide for over two decades. A native of Connecticut, and Essentially Ellington alumna, Erica moved to New York to hone her skills at the Juilliard School, and in 2004 earned the first Bachelor’s degree in jazz in the school’s history. After graduation she launched her career as a sideman through touring, recording and performing with the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Chris Potter, Wynton Marsalis and the JLCO, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Bebo Valdez, Cachao, Celia Cruz, Kristin Chenoweth and Seth MacFarlane, among many others. She is the recipient of several honors, including the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer’s Award, and the Martin E. Segal Award from Lincoln Center, and has been voted many times as a “Rising Star” and “Critic’s Pick” in Downbeat Magazine.