Clara completed her Bachelor of Music at the University of Sydney, majoring in piano performance, having studied with Albert Landa and Neta Maughan. A Graduate Diploma of Education was completed in the following year. Whist teaching piano at Ravenswood, Clara furthered her studies on the modern cello with Algimantas Motiekaitis. In 1981-82, being awarded a Graduate Rotary Fellowship, she studied modern cello with Jerome Jelinek at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. On her return to Australia, as well as working as a freelance cellist, a year was spent with the ABC Training Orchestra. Raising a young family renewed an interest  in teaching and positions at The King's School, Waverley College and Chatswood  Yamaha Centre followed. Clara also conducted and tutored string groups for the Western Youth Orchestra and local primary schools as well as running a busy private studio. In 2004, Clara completed an Honours year at Sydney University, majoring in baroque cello performance, having studied with Tim Blomfield. In the same year she joined the baroque all female vocal ensemble “The Tall Poppeas”. Clara is a founding member of “Suonare”, an instrumental ensemble specialising in exploring and performing the baroque cello sonata repertoire.