Karina B. Garrett

High quality musician for you

Karina Byakova was born in Shahtinsk, a small town in Kazakhstan and at a very young age realized music was her true passion and inspiration. She began playing the violin at the age of four, and by six, she won her first music competition.
Karina’s education includes studies at the Children’s Music Academy for Talented Children in Karaganda, Kazakhstan, where she focused on violin and piano.  She also attended the Moscow Music University for a special program, studying viola with Yuri Bashmet and faculty.  She continued training at the Music University at Karaganda, Kazakhstan which culminated into the U.S equivalent of a Bachelors Degree in Music.
During her training, Karina won many international competitions including 1st and 2nd places in Astana, Almaty, and Karaganda, Kazakhstan – 1st Place in Rimini Italy and 2nd Place in Odessa Ukraine.
Karina’s teaching career began early, at only 16 years old when she began assisting and at the behest of her instructor, teaching at the Music Academy in Shakhtinsk, Kazakhstan.  She continued teaching when she moved to New York City for the Sisa Pakari Cultural Center.   In addition to private and group strings and piano lessons, Karina is a specialist in young childhood music training, and has taught group music classes to children as young as 3 years old.
Karina has always been an active performer as well as instructor in both New York City and now Florida.  She has performed as the opening act for highly promoted venues as well as booked for many private engagements.
Including opening act for Sebastian Yatra, Private Party’s for Buster Skrine, Daily Mail, Harvard Club, Embassy Suits, Ritz Carlton, Museum’s and more.

Throughout her music career, she also has been involved with many orchestras and ensembles including, but not limited to, the Karaganda City Orchestra, Kazakhstan as principal violist and soloist, The Metro Chamber Orchestra, New York City and as principal violist in many local Florida orchestras including the South Shore Symphony Orchestra in Wesley Chapel, Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra and Strings Con Brio of Sarasota Florida.