Instrument: Oboe

Kara Poling is the new Associate Principal Oboe/English Horn of the Richmond Symphony as of January 2024. She was distinguished as “someone to watch” in Gramophone Newsletter. In 2022, she took first prize in the Norma Hooks Young Artist International Oboe Competition. Kara has performed as guest Principal Oboe with the Sarasota Orchestra, Virginia Symphony, and New World Symphony.

Kara completed her bachelor’s degree studying with Elaine Douvas at The Juilliard School where she was a proud recipient of a Kovner Fellowship. In past summers, Kara 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.

Kara began studying oboe with her mom at the age of 9, after years of asking. When not playing music, she enjoys traveling, hiking, and visiting the country’s National Parks. She has visited 44 of the 50 states.