UPPER EAST SIDE — Not many people know what they want to be when they grow up, with certainty, at just 5 years old. But even that early in life, one kindergartener at Saint Ignatius Loyola School had his Plan A and Plan B figured out already. Karl Kilb IV wanted to be a musician.
At 22 years old, Kilb has made his dreams a reality, crediting in large part his Catholic education and faith for guiding him as he dedicates himself to becoming a renowned classical music composer.
In March, he debuted his single “Heart” right before graduating from New York University. Now, in addition to releasing his own music — which can be found on Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube — he serves as a music therapist, musical instructor, and composer for films and shows.
“I’m not trying to be an overnight success with one song and then fizzle out,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for 16 years now. I really want to continue that and just build my career from there.”
Kilb’s primary instrument is the piano, which he has been playing since he was 5 years old. He joined the jazz and concert band at Saint Ignatius Loyola School and took classes to help him learn to read sheet music, play instruments, and learn different musical genres.
He also plays the clarinet and saxophone and teaches the instruments to young students.
Saint Ignatius Loyola plans to invite Kilb back to the school in the fall, so he can speak to the students about the possibility of pursuing music-related careers.
“Everybody needs role models, and everyone needs mentors,” he said. “Being that for somebody else, that’s super fulfilling to me.”
Emily Davis, his music teacher from third to eighth grade, saw Kilb’s potential immediately. He was always engaged in class and had an aptitude for the piano. “It was like having a professional musician in the jazz band,” she said, noting that he continually served as an example for aspiring musicians in her classes.
“I’m just so impressed at what he’s been able to achieve in such a short amount of time,” Davis said. She helped Kilb as he applied and was subsequently accepted to the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.
Now, living in Midtown East, Kilb attends St. Patrick’s Cathedral and a handful of other churches scattered across Manhattan and prays daily. The two constants in his life, he says, are faith and music, much of which is inspired by what he hears in church.
Saint Ignatius Loyola School not only helped Kilb lay the foundation of his faith but also opened the door to his own exploration. The school inspired him to learn philosophy in college, studying religious figures and famous thinkers.
“I just started to read the Bible more. I think that was the most important thing that I was doing here,” he said. “We had a religion class here, and I went to church often, but I didn’t appreciate the faith until I took a step back and did it on my own.”
Saint Ignatius Loyola, which his siblings both attended, continues to have a holistic impact on his person and career. When he was in eighth grade, he participated in a talent show and was encouraged to perform his original pieces. The positive feedback and support reinforced his belief that he could release and perform his own music.
He learned how to fuse jazz and classical while at the Catholic school, learning about both Duke Ellington and Mozart, and that is the style of music he composes the most today.
As he continues to pursue his musical career and seeks to become the best musician he can be, Kilb’s dream is to work with other classical artists and artists within the Catholic space to lift them up.
“Just knowing that I can put a little bit of positivity into people’s lives through music and faith,” he said, “I think that’s what I’m going to try to continue to do.”