Karen French was based in London as an orchestral and chamber musician before she returned to New Zealand in 2021. She began playing the cello aged 9 and went on to study with David Chickering while at school and later with Edith Salzmann at the University of Canterbury, graduating with a Bachelor of Music with Honours in 2008. She then moved to Germany to study with Professor Mario De Secondi at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik, Trossingen.

In 2011 Karen was selected to play in Southbank Sinfonia. With Southbank Sinfonia Karen has performed with Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, BBC Concert Orchestra and in the National Theatre performing in Jonathan Miller’s staged version of St. Matthew Passion and at the Royal Opera House. She has also performed in Wigmore Hall, Queen Elizabeth hall and LSO St.Luke’s and other venues around the UK.

As a chamber musician Karen is a founding member of the Alke Quartet and the Enceladus Ensemble. The Alke Quartet have performed throughout the UK including, Wigmore Hall, St Martin-in-the-Field, St James, Piccadilly, Bath Pump Rooms and the Barbican.