Kara has loved music from a very young age. She began studying the violin in 1st grade, piano in 2nd grade, clarinet in 5th grade, and participated in many choirs from preschool through college. Ultimately her love of the keys won out and she began serious study of the piano under the teaching of Robin Holz Williams (Professor, University of New Orleans) in 8th grade. She then entered the studio of Ruth Tomfohrde (1922-2016) for her Bachelors of Music, Piano Performance (Summa Cum Laude, Honors in Major) at the University of Houston, Moores School of Music. Continuing in her studies for her Master’s Degree in piano performance, she studied in the studio of Nancy Weems (Professor Emeritus of Piano at the University of Houston Moores School of Music).
Kara is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the music honors society. She is also a member of the Forum Music Teacher’s Association, the Texas Music Teacher’s Association, and the Music Teacher’s National Association.
A homeschooling mother of 4 children, Kara has been on the adventure of education with them for thirteen years and enjoys the challenge of tailoring an education to the unique learning style of each student. While living in Indonesia for seventeen years, Kara continued to share her love of the piano with students there. Her hobbies include reading and gardening, but she also loves sharing a meal with friends and singing in the church choir.
Kara strives to give her students a solid technical foundation, thorough knowledge of music theory, historical knowledge of classical music genres, strong stylistic interpretation skills, and a joy in making music and expressing themselves. Learning to play the piano requires discipline and patience, but Kara helps her students to engage with the education process and have fun as they grow!
Interested in more information or starting lessons? Get in touch.