Ekta Karkala is a 16 year old musician from California, USA. From a young age, she knew that she wanted to pursue music and started learning piano from Mrs. Helen Lee. She has won many prestigious piano competitions, including 1st prize in the US Open International Music Competition, Treasury of Romantic US Open Music Competition, American Protégé International Competition, and American Fine Arts festival. Ekta also plays the flute and currently studies music theory and performance under Isabelle Chapuis, who is Principal flutist for Opera San Jose, and retired Senior Lecturer at San Jose State University, California. Ekta has won several competitions with her flute performances. She won 1st prize in the US Open International Music Competition, Great Composers Competition, and American Protégé International Competition. Ekta has been a part of California youth symphony for the last four years. She was the principal flutist in Wind Symphony. She is now principal flutist for the Associate Orchestra of the California Youth Symphony, under the instruction of Maestro Leo Eylar. She has also performed the flute and piano multiple times at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, New York. In addition to performing and competing, Ekta strongly believes in using her talent to help others. She currently teaches music classes to children with special needs at her local community center, and performs music at senior centers and hospices in Bay Area, California. Ekta also plays competitive golf, is very involved on her school campus, and enjoys spending time with her family.
