Hailing from Sydney, Karen completed her Bachelor's at the Sydney Conservatorium where she studied with Francesco Celata and was a recipient of multiple merit scholarships. Karen has enjoyed many orchestral opportunities, including playing with the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the SCM various ensembles – a highlight collaborating with NIDA and playing in the pit for Britten's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Karen has also performed in Europe as Principal Clarinet with the Järvi Academy Orchestra under the batons of Neeme and Paavo Järvi.

Currently training at ANAM under the guidance of David Thomas, Karen has performed with the Auckland Philharmonia, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. 

In recent years, Karen is garnering an interest in advocating for lesser-played repertoire or musical styles, including electroacoustic music, the reed quintet, improvisation, Australian works, and works written by female composers.