Kri KaiRa Saw

musician / photographer

musician . photographer

BIOGRAPHY

Kri KaiRa Saw, also known by his artist name Kri Baw, is a Karen musician and emerging multimedia artist currently based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Born in Karen State, Burma, Kri's early life was shaped by the impact of civil war and displacement. At the age of nine, he and his family were forced to flee their homeland, resettling in a refugee camp in Thailand. There, he spent seven formative years before being granted the opportunity to start a new life in the United States at the end of 2011.

Upon arriving in Minnesota, Kri continued his education at LEAP High School and later graduated from Como Park Senior High School in 2015. He went on to earn an Associate of Arts degree from Saint Paul College in 2017. Throughout these transitions, music remained a grounding force in his life.

Kri’s love for music began early—singing alone in his bedroom during quiet moments and teaching himself to play the guitar at age 13. By the time he was 15, he had begun writing original songs, blending his personal stories with melodies that speak to resilience, identity, and hope. His music reflects both the hardship and healing that have marked his journey.

More recently, Kri joined In Progress, a digital arts organization that nurtures emerging voices. Through this mentorship opportunity, he is expanding his skills in music production, including sound recording, mixing, and mastering. He is deeply committed to learning new tools and technologies to help bring his songs to life and dreams of building a career in music that connects people across cultures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Kri KaiRa Saw has foundational experience in video camera production and portraiture photography. He is proficient in basic multimedia software applications and is currently developing skills in audio engineering and digital music production. His artistic strengths include songwriting, live performance, and a growing understanding of visual storytelling techniques.

skills

  • basic video camera production

  • portraiture photography

  • basic software skills

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