The love of singing and performing has always been with StarCentral Magazine’s Female Artist of the Month for August 2014, Kara Ferris Dutton, ever since she was a little girl. Her first performance was in primary school, at a school awards presentation night with her girl buddies. She’s learned that she loves the feeling of connecting to people with her music – especially more rewarding when doing so with one of her original compositions.

She is inspired to write and share God’s love and gift of salvation with the world. She quotes John 3:16 KJV: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” Her career so far is replete with memorable experiences – last year, for example, she was in the grand final for the Freo Song of the Year Competition. Right as she was up there ready to perform, the sound equipment decided to become incredibly temperamental. She recalls really enjoying the irony of the chorus of “Phoenix”, the song she was singing: “…like a phoenix rising, up from the flame, I will get up, I won’t give in, I’ll find my feet and try again…and fly away”.

Kara takes each day and opportunity as they come; but her first priority is her family, and any musical endeavour comes after them. Meanwhile, mixing has recently been completed for her first EP, so once mastering is complete for the tape, she’ll have physical copies of it for sale. It is an exciting development, especially so because her family supports her musical activities. Outside of her wonderful husband and kids, there are also grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who are always there cheering. She includes her best friends among them, who function like an extended family for her.

She shares with other local artists the love of diversity in musical expression. It is a wonderful spirit that binds them. Along the way, she has learned valuable life lessons. One of them is a solid faith in herself in any situation, and it is based on a faith in God. Kara says that a prayer for peace and guidance will help anyone get through a problematic stretch, quoting Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”