About a year—but it already feels like a full-circle moment.
Karra used to sing, but after a hard childhood and college, she set it aside. As a child, she was often pushed onto stages for the wrong reasons and forced to perform, and over time, that took the joy out of it. And yet, she always loved to sing and play music—clarinet, saxophone, flute, and a little piano. She says that music never really left her; it was always there, somewhere inside, even during the most difficult and dangerous times. Karra tends to see life through rhythm and pattern, color and expression—in almost everything she does…even typing!
She watched a coworker who had joined a choir. Week after week, the co-worker came into the office completely jazzed—talking about what they were learning, the talent of the director, and how much fun they were having while still growing as singers and performers. One day, Karra noticed song lyrics on their desk, and something about their quiet dedication really resonated with me, so she asked them about it.
What they shared—and the way they shared it—re-lit a fire in Karra. She had to overcome fear and stage fright, but the chorale, and especially the director, walked with her through it. She found her footing again and rediscovered the joy of music and expression.
Her words say it best: “I’m becoming who I’ve always known I was meant to be.”
Karra doesn’t just sing—she lives music. Clarinet, saxophone, flute, a little piano—you name it. She’s sung everywhere from church to college (as a soprano) to Sweet Adelines International, where she held her own as a Lead. These days, we’re lucky to have her rich Alto 1 sound.
“The River”
Karra is an avid kayaker and die-hard day-trip fan. Her greatest claim to fame is "ya can't take me go-carting"...she floors it and doesn't look back, she has rolled the carts, flipped a cart and taken out the tracks edge once. She is a focused and violent go-kart racer.
Karra works with girls that have been trafficked, she crochets, teach life skills classes, and runs a small counseling ministry, food pantry and supplemental clothing closet. She love animals (if they don't bite) and is an amateur gardener.
You may find her curled up with delightfully silly TV—think 3rd Rock from the Sun, The Big Bang Theory, and Laverne & Shirley. The cheesier, the better.
Karra’s dream trio is…iconic and slightly unpredictable:
Julie Andrews, Jim Nabors, and Karra anchoring the alto line—with a wildcard cameo from Jelly Roll.
Her honest take? “It’d either be phenomenal…or a complete train wreck!”
(We’d absolutely buy tickets.)
She’s covered almost all of the U.S.—but Hawaii is calling, and Holland is high on her dream list.
“Embrace the rapid flow of change. Trust your director. Befriend your section leader—they’ll be your champions.”