Carly Hood

Carly Hood is a saxophonist and music educator based in the Cincinnati metropolitan area. She is an active performer in both solo and chamber capacities. Carly has been a featured concerto soloist with the CCM Concert Orchestra, Stephen F. Austin Orchestra of the Pines, and Cincinnati Youth Wind Ensemble, most recently performing Roshanne Etezady's new saxophone concerto Negative Split. As an orchestral saxophonist, Carly has performed with several orchestras across the region, including the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and Kentucky Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her work as a classical saxophonist, Carly plays saxophone with the German group The Überland Band.

Carly is dedicated to the commissioning and performance of new music for saxophone. She recently commissioned a series of works for solo baritone saxophone exploring the grieving process through musical expression. The project includes works from composers Ashlin Hunter, Joy Guidry, and Keaton Garrett, and incorporates elements of generative music, graphic notation, and spoken word. Carly recently produced and performed on saxophonist Cecily Terhune’s debut album “Boon Bestowed,” which features many additions to the contemporary classical saxophone canon.

Carly serves as adjunct faculty at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), Cincinnati State, and Thomas More University and is the saxophone instructor for Beechwood High School. She enjoys the opportunity to work with students of varying musical backgrounds and experiences, and in addition to her saxophone studio teaching has taught collegiately in the areas of Music History, Music Education, Jazz, and  Chamber Music. Carly received her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a cognate in Music History. She holds a Master of Music from Stephen F. Austin State University, and Bachelors of Music and Music Education from CCM.

Doctor of Musical Arts: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2022 (Saxophone Performance Cognate: Music History)

Master of Music: Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches, TX, 2015 (Saxophone Performance)

Bachelor of Music: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2013 (Saxophone Performance)

Bachelor of Music Education: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2013 (Music Education)