Our eighth episode of the season will feature flautist Kara Thorpe and pianist Lucas Cai who will play programmes including works by Albéniz, Chopin, Lili Boulanger, Ross Edwards and more. Continue reading to learn more about Kara and Lucas.
Kara Thorpe
Flute
Kara Thorpe is currently in the fourth year of her Bachelor of Flute
Performance degree at Sydney Conservatorium, studying with Emma Sholl.
Originally from Tasmania, Kara began her musical journey on the piano when she was five, and later started learning flute. Kara was awarded her AMusA on piano in 2017, and her AMusA on flute in 2018.
Kara has performed as soloist with the Tasmanian
Symphony Orchestra as the winner of the TSO Rising Star competition in 2023, and with the Derwent Symphony Orchestra in 2017. She has won awards at the Flute Society of NSW, Sydney and Hobart Eisteddfods.
Kara expecially enjoys orchestral playing and is principal flute of the Sydney Youth Orchestra. She was previously principal flute of the Tasmanian Youth Orchestra and has participated in Australian Youth Orchestra programs.
Kara loves the universal storytelling and connection created by music.
Kara will perform:
- Ross Edwards: Nura, mvt.3 Earth Dance
- Lili Boulanger: Nocturne
- Charles-Marie Widor: Suite for Flute and Piano, mvt.4 Final - Vivace
With associate artist Dr. Allie Xinyu Wang
Lucas Cai
Piano
Lucas, a 12-year-old boy at Camberwell Grammar School, began piano at five but only became serious under renowned pedagogue Prof. Glenn Riddle at almost ten. He progressed swiftly from AMEB Grade 6 to Grade 8 in one year, achieved his AMusA the next, and is now preparing for LMusA.
An active member of the school’s Music Academy, Lucas enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians. A devoted admirer of Chopin, he has received awards such as the Nina Saffery Memorial Prize in the Melbourne Eisteddfod, the Grace Ross Memorial Prize and the Thelma Griffiths Musicianship Award in Latrobe Valley Eisteddfod. He also won multiple 1st and 2nd prizes at the Vietnam International Piano Competition & Festival (VIPCF), his first international competition in April.
Lucas is also a dedicated cellist studying with Ms. Rachel Atkinson, pursuing his AMusA and playing in ensembles. Outside of music, he is a competitive butterfly swimmer.
Lucas will perform:
- Isaac Albéniz: El Puerto (Cádiz) (Iberia, II)
- Chopin: Grande Valse Brillante Op.18 (Waltz in E flat major)
- Keith Humble: Bagatelles No. 1, 2, 7, 8