Karen began learning the piano when she was nine years old, and the clarinet two years later. She studied at Watford School of Music before gaining a place at The Royal College of Music in 1985 to study for a BMus degree. She was taught clarinet by Colin Bradbury and Robert Hill, and piano by John Blakely. Whilst at the RCM, she specialized in contemporary Classical Music and Chamber Music, co-founding the Charivari Wind Quintet, with whom she enjoyed a great deal of success, performing at venues such as The Royal Albert Hall and 10 Downing Street.

Since finishing her studies, Karen has enjoyed a varied career, freelancing as an orchestral and chamber musician, whilst holding various teaching posts, first in North London and later in Berkshire.

She has been the clarinet teacher at The Abbey for twenty years, and she qualified as an ABRSM examiner nine years ago.
Karen is the Principal Clarinet for Reading Symphony Orchestra, and freelances for other orchestras in the area, including Feria Orchestra, Slough Philharmonic Orchestra and Surrey Mozart Players. She recently played in a concert in Holland with The Engelfield Ensemble (an ensemble which includes another Abbey peripatetic teacher, Angela Davis).