Cara Purdy

Cara Purdy is a 17-year-old Senior at Parkway West High School. This will be her first season with the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra. Purdy first started playing oboe at the age of 14 with the encouragement of her band directors. She immediately fell in love with it and began taking lessons with Cathy Paul. She now studies with Xiomara Mass. In her few years of playing oboe, she has been selected to participate twice in both the St. Louis All-Suburban band and the Missouri All-State Band, having been named principal last year in the latter. Purdy was also principal oboe in the Young People’s Symphonic Orchestra at Webster University and had the privilege of performing in Carnegie Hall with the group. 

When she isn’t practicing her oboe, Purdy plays the flute and alto saxophone in her jazz band and takes weekly singing lessons from her teacher Brenda Bailey. This year, Purdy is also one of the drum majors for the Parkway West Marching Band. She also loves to crochet, read, and cross-stitch. 

Purdy wants to thank her band directors, teachers, friends, and family for all of their instruction and encouragement. Their constant support of her musical endeavors is endlessly appreciated, and they have all helped shape her into the musician she is today.