Kara Thorpe is currently in the fourth year of her Bachelor of Flute Performance degree at Sydney Conservatorium, studying with Emma Sholl.

Originally from Tasmania, Kara began her musical journey on the piano when she was five and later started learning flute. Kara was awarded her AMusA on piano in 2017, and her AMusA on flute in 2018 under the tutelage of Douglas Mackie.

Kara has been principal flute of the Sydney Youth Orchestra since 2024. Her orchestral journey began in the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra, where she was principal flute of the flagship orchestra from 2016 – 2019. She has also participated in Australian Youth Orchestra programs, Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra and the Sydney Concert Orchestra.
Following her soloist debut at age 14 with the Derwent Symphony Orchestra, Kara has since performed as soloist with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra as the winner of the TSO Rising Star competition in 2023. Kara has won major awards at the Sydney, Flute Society of NSW and Hobart Eisteddfods. Kara is looking forward to playing with SYO again in 2025!