Musicians
Karen Kobayashi - Flautist, Composer, Arranger
Karen Kobayashi, aged 15, currently studies flute in the studio of Susan Hoeppner at the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists.
Japanese-born Karen started to play flute at age 8 at her school in Thailand, and began taking private lessons when her family moved to Chicago, USA. Her previous teachers include Hideko Amano and Louis Papachristos. Most recently, Karen was awarded at the 2024 CanAmerican Flute Symposium Solo Artist Competition, The Oakville Chamber Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition, the Taylor Academy Concerto Competition, the 2023 North York Concert Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition, the MOYSE International Flute Competition, the 2022 Walgreens National Concerto Competition, the Society of American Musicians Competition, and the Chicago Flute Club Student Competition. During the 2024-25 season, Karen will perform as a soloist with the Oakville Chamber Orchestra and the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.
She is a former member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO), and the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra (TYWO). Karen has performed in masterclasses with Denis Bluteau, Joanna G’froerer, Demarre McGill, Jonathan Keeble, and Nancy Stagnitta. In 2023, Karen performed at Carnegie Hall as a first place winner of the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition and also played on the “Introduction“ of WMFT, Chicago’s classical music radio station.
Outside of music, Karen enjoys reading, cooking new recipes, and gazing at constellations.
Japanese-born Karen started to play flute at age 8 at her school in Thailand, and began taking private lessons when her family moved to Chicago, USA. Her previous teachers include Hideko Amano and Louis Papachristos. Most recently, Karen was awarded at the 2024 CanAmerican Flute Symposium Solo Artist Competition, The Oakville Chamber Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition, the Taylor Academy Concerto Competition, the 2023 North York Concert Orchestra Youth Concerto Competition, the MOYSE International Flute Competition, the 2022 Walgreens National Concerto Competition, the Society of American Musicians Competition, and the Chicago Flute Club Student Competition. During the 2024-25 season, Karen will perform as a soloist with the Oakville Chamber Orchestra and the Cathedral Bluffs Symphony Orchestra.
She is a former member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra (CYSO), and the Toronto Youth Wind Orchestra (TYWO). Karen has performed in masterclasses with Denis Bluteau, Joanna G’froerer, Demarre McGill, Jonathan Keeble, and Nancy Stagnitta. In 2023, Karen performed at Carnegie Hall as a first place winner of the American Protégé International Music Talent Competition and also played on the “Introduction“ of WMFT, Chicago’s classical music radio station.
Outside of music, Karen enjoys reading, cooking new recipes, and gazing at constellations.
