Oboist Kara Poling joined the Richmond Symphony as Associate Principal Oboe/English Horn in January 2024. She took first prize in the Norma Hooks Young Artist International Oboe Competition in 2022. Kara has appeared as a guest artist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, Virginia Symphony, and the New World Symphony. 

In the summers, Kara seeks to expand her musical world, attending several prestigious festivals. She was awarded fellowships at Music Academy of the West and Aspen Music Festival, and she toured Asia as a member of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra in 2018, under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas. She has also appeared with the New Hampshire Music Festival. Most recently she’s performed quartets with the Richmond Chamber Players.

Kara received her BM as a Kovner Fellow at The Juilliard School where she studied with Elaine Douvas. She was awarded the Peter Mennin Prize for outstanding leadership and music. Other influential teachers include Melissa Hooper, Ryan Roberts, Nathan Hughes, Scott Hostetler, and Linda Strommen. Kara’s Juilliard woodwind quintet, Amity Winds, competed as semi-finalists in the 50th annual Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. 

Kara began studying oboe with her mom at the age of 9, after years of asking. When not playing music, she enjoys exploring coffee shops, traveling, and practicing yoga. She has visited 46 of the 50 states.