Kärsten began studying Suzuki flute with Susie Kuniyoshi at age 5 after seeing a video production of Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. Kärsten continued her music studies with Immanuel Davis at the University of Minnesota School of Music, where she received a Bachelor of Music in flute performance.

Kärsten has performed with Encore Wind Ensemble, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, Saint Cloud Symphony Orchestra, Lakes Area Music Festival, and Exultate chamber orchestra. She has performed as a soloist in master classes for internationally-renowned artists including Pedro de Alcantara, Gro Sandvik, Mimi Stillman, and James Hall. As a liturgical musician in the Twin Cities and Brainerd Lakes areas, Kärsten has performed and collaborated with Marty Haugen, Rob Glover, and Fr. Michael Joncas. Kärsten has enjoyed performing with her mom and sister in Grace Notes Classical Trio since 2003.  Kärsten currently works as the Learning & Culture Development Manager at Choice Bank. She loves doing yoga, running, and traveling. Kärsten lives with her husband, Josh, in Minneapolis, where they take longs walks and cook great paleo food.