Karen graduated from Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 1995 majoring in accompaniment and performance studying with David Miller, Gerard Willems, Lyall Duke and Margaret Hair. Upon completion of the degree Karen received the ‘Mollie Neal’ scholarship for accompaniment.

In 2002 Karen smithies completed her Masters Degree in Performance at the University of Tasmania’s Conservatorium of Music , studying with Beryl Sedivka.

Karen is an active soloist, chamber musician and accompanist and currently lectures in accompaniment at the University of Tasmania, Conservatorium of Music.