Having trained with Jan de Maeyer, Luk Nielandt and Louis Gilis, karel Schoofs graduated from the Royal Conservatoire in Antwerp with flying colours. After this training he further developed his skills through masterclasses with Jean-Louis Capezzali and Yván Fischer to name just a few.

Only in his twenties, Karel joined the Royal Flemish Philharmonic until 1996, when he was appointed principal oboeist in the National Orchestra of Belgium with music directors Simonov, Mikko Franck and Walter Weller. In 2008 Karel crossed borders to adopt the same position in the Rotterdam Philharmonic, this time working with Valery Gergiev and Yannick Nézet-Séguin and making his debut as a soloist with works by Mozart and Bellini in 2010. In this respect it is also worth mentioning that 2014 will see Karel perform the Dutch premiere of James MacMilan's Oboe Concerto. Besides, as a soloist he also played in the Chamber Orchestra of Belgium during the Flanders Festival, in the ranks of the Brabant Orchestra and during the Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China.

Subsequently, it is no surprise that in the fields of chamber music Karel earned his stripes as well: Oxalys, the Danel Quartett, the Cobatimento Consort Amsterdam and I Solisti del Vento are but a few of the ensembles to have taken delight in his expertise and knowledge. Besides, Karel is a founding member of the MP21 Ensemble and a regular guest at renowned events such as the Storioni Festival and the International Chamber Music Festival Schiermonnikoog. In 2007, Karel met harpist Anneleen Lenaerts (Vienna Philharmonic) and they have been a musical duo ever since. Karel also regularly gives master classes as well as audition training.

Finally, every now and then Karel thinks effortlessly out of the classical box. He truly enjoyed working on two theatre productions: Rhyming Life and Death (2009) and Water Music (2012). In the Dowland Project (2011), Karel played his instrument jazz style.

Since September 2013 Karel teaches at the Royal Conservatoire.