In 2016, Khara Kowalski Howe earned her Master's Degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she served as the Teaching Assistant to Taimur Sullivan. Before this, Khara graduated from Appalachian State University summa cum laude where she earned degrees in both Music Performance and Music Education as a Teaching Fellow.  In 2012, she won the Appalachian State University Hayes School of Music Concerto Competition. Khara has toured as a member of the Phasma Saxophone Quartet, performing at the 2011 Ohio Saxophone Summit, the 2013 North American Saxophone Alliance Region VII Conference, and featured with the Appalachian State University Wind Ensemble. She has also had the opportunity to perform with jazz artists Randy Brecker, Steve Davis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Paul White.  In 2015, Khara and her quartet, Atchara won first place in the North Carolina MTNA Chamber Competition.  Khara currently plays with her saxophone quartet, the Piedmont Wind Symphony, and the Salem Swing Band. She just finished her fourth year of teaching Elementary Music and Private Saxophone Lessons in the Winston-Salem area. When Khara is not playing saxophone, she can be found dancing and singing with elementary music students and loving life with her husband, Shaun and newborn son, Isley.