Ariff is currently completing his Honours in Music at the University of Western Australia, studying under Alex Brogan. He began learning the violin at age 11 and later took up the viola during the final year of his Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology and Music Studies. In addition to classical viola and violin, Ariff has also studied jazz violin with Jeremy Cohen.

He is currently the principal viola of the UWA Symphony Orchestra and recently collaborated with the West Australian Opera for the first of their 2025 Secret Opera performances. He is also a 2025 Wesley Uniting Church Scholar as a violist. Active in the Perth choral scene, Ariff sings as a bass with The Winthrop Singers, a not-for-profit student training chamber choir, and has previously performed with the UWA Symphonic Chorus.

Outside of music, Ariff enjoys the occasional snorkel, building model kits, and photography.