Hello! My name is Karisa, and I’m a flutist and educator located in Gainesville, FL.

Karisa McKinney is an active teacher and performer in Gainesville, FL. She has performed as a local musician around Gainesville, as well as all around the state of Florida. Currently, she teaches private flute lessons and works with the Buchholz High School Band as their flute instructor, and also works with other schools around the area. She recently graduated with her masters degree in Music Performance from the University of Florida.

As a flute teacher, Karisa’s students have won various awards at both the local and state level. Many of her students have gone to study music at the collegiate level, and been accepted into music programs across the state of Florida, such as at UF, UNF, and others. Most recently in spring of 2023, one of Karisa’s students won the Sarah Baird Fouse Woodwind Award, a local award for outstanding high school musicians.

Please feel free to contact me in you have any questions regarding lessons, booking, or even just a question about flute!

karisa

Additionally, Karisa continues to perform in chamber groups and as a soloist in the North Central Florida area. Currently, she plays with local groups like the Gainesville Flute Ensemble, as well as the Ocala Symphony Orchestra. Karisa also performs in the community as a soloist for both private and public events such as weddings, artist exhibitions, and even solo recitals.

As a lover of new music, Karisa premiered several new works by locally and nationally-known composers. In fall of 2015, she premiered a micro-opera at the Society of Composers, Inc. National Conference. In October 2019, Karisa toured with the UF Chamber Winds and premiering commissioned works by Joanne Harris and Diogo Carlvaho. Currently, she is preparing to record a new album featuring contemporary compositions for flute and electronics set to release Spring of 2024.

In her spare time, Karisa enjoys long-distance biking, cooking, playing retro video games, and spending time with her black cat, Nikki.