Originally from Park Ridge, Illinois, Ms. Aguiar earned her Bachelor of Music in cello performance from St. Olaf College, where she studied with David Carter. It was there that she became interested in Early Music and also started playing the viola da gamba. She went on to complete her Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, studying with Yehuda Hanani, Lee Fiser, and both the LaSalle and Tokyo String Quartets.

 

Kat Aguiar has been an active performer and teacher in the Cincinnati area for many years. She served as Principal Cello of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra for twelve years, and performed with the Cincinnati Symphony and Chamber Orchestras as well as the Dayton Philharmonic. A certified Suzuki teacher, she has maintained private studios in the Forest Hills, Mariemont, and Terrace Park school districts. 

 

While living in Curitiba, Brazil, she taught private cello lessons and performed with both the Curitiba Chamber Orchestra and the Cello Quartet “Cello Follia.”

 

During this time in Brazil, she became immersed in the Brazilian culture and learned Muay Thai, Brazilian percussion, capoeira, and drove a ’74 Beetle. Her daughters are now also fluent in Portuguese and love samba as much as their mother!