Aaron Rib, Flutist

Aaron Rib (they/them) is an Atlanta-based flutist who seeks to share joy, love, and kinship through the transformative experience of live music-making. An ardent believer in the power of imaginative storytelling, Aaron strives for a humanistic approach to performance through expressive playing and an emphasis on the listener's experience. Aaron particularly enjoys chamber and orchestral settings, where they can collaborate with other artists to engage and connect with audiences through live performance. Aaron is also a dedicated proponent of music education and the positive impact it can have on the lives of students of any age and background.
Aaron enjoys a multifaceted career as a freelancer. Recent orchestral engagements include performances with the symphonies of Canton, Wheeling, and Johnstown, including a statewide tour through West Virginia as a guest musician with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra in July 2022. Aaron is also an Associate Member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and a substitute flutist with the New World Symphony. Their recent explorations of chamber music are varied and genre-bending, ranging from the world premiere of Persian composer Reza Vali’s Kismet for three flutes with Pittsburgh new music ensemble NAT 28, to sold-out performances of “A New World: Music from Final Fantasy” under the direction of conductor-composer Eric Roth. Beyond the stage, Aaron’s desire to grow a love for music in others drives their passion for increasing the accessibility and inclusiveness of classical music in their community. Supporting that work, they recently served two years as co-founder and Operations Director of Azure Family Concerts Pittsburgh, a sensory-friendly concert series for individuals with autism. Aaron is also a proud member of Musicians With a Mission, a cohort of performers committed to bringing music and human connection into local healthcare facilities.

Born and raised in Clearwater, Florida, Aaron received their Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance at the Frost School of Music—University of Miami, and their Master of Music degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During their education, they achieved several milestones in their artistic growth, including First Prize at the National Flute Association 2020 Orchestral Audition & Masterclass Competition, First Prize at the 2020 BIG ARTS Classical Music Scholarship Competition, and a featured solo performance on WQXR, New York City’s classical station, in July 2019. They have attended festivals as a fellow at Festival Napa Valley and spent two summers at Brevard Music Center. Aaron is indebted to the wisdom and artistry of their foundational instructors Lorna McGhee, Valerie Coleman, Jennifer Grim, Trudy Kane, and Carmen Bannon, and grateful for additional studies with Alberto Almarza, Amy Porter, and Dilshad Posnock. Aaron is dedicating their career to fostering human connection wherever they live and carrying on the legacy of musical joy from their mentors. Offstage, Aaron enjoys spending time outdoors and searching for new and exciting vegan recipes with their partner Ben.