Cara Smith is a Scottish clarinettist currently in her second year of the BMus performance course at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Cara started clarinet at age 11, surprisingly she only began lessons to get out of maths!

In September 2022 Cara accepted her place and scholarship at the RNCM and began studying with Sergio Costello Lopez. Her highlights so far have been side by side projects and concerts with the Royal Northern Sinfonia, Manchester Camerata and performing at the Bridgewater Hall with the RNCM Symphony Orchestra. Prior to studying at the RNCM Cara studied at the RCS Junior Conservatoire and was thoroughly inspired during her time there.

Upon leaving school in 2021 Cara took a gap year. She gained the role of Trainee Arts-Coordinator at the Beacon Arts Centre where she organised weekly classes in performing arts for ages 4-21 with additional support needs alongside working as a Performing Arts Coach in the performing arts department of a highschool. This generated a strong passion to make the arts more accessible to all.

In October 2023 Cara successfully auditioned for the Royal Opera House orchestral mentorship scheme. As a part of the scheme she enjoys regular lessons with her mentor, Marina Finnamore, sitting in on rehearsals and playing side by side with the ROH orchestra.

Inspired and motivated by the Benedetti Foundation in the future Cara hopes to continue her work with widening access and participation in the arts