A Halifax native of Trinidadian parents, Canadian soprano Karlene Marie, (Family Name: Francis) began her musical training at The Maritime Conservatory on piano at an early age taking RCM exams until the age of 16, completing Grade 8, with honours. After this, she continued her study with Anna Lea Bartonova for two more years. Her vocal expression was first through singing along with her parent's great collection of records from calypso to gospel, jazz and more, as well as singing with tunes on the radio and as a member of church, school choirs and the Nova Scotia International Tattoo Choir for many years as a youth.

Also, she is an alumna of the Halifax City Schools Music Department, the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra and Dalhousie Chamber Orchestra where she began her development as a cellist.

At Western University, she studied applied cello under Malcolm Tait and her first classical voice training initially with soprano, Ginette Duplessis, who saw potential in her. At that time, she had the unique opportunity to be part of the string and vocal departments concurrently. While at university, she performed regularly in orchestra and chamber music ensembles as a cellist, as well as in recitals and opera workshops as a vocalist.