 Karp attended the Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion, Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in New York City (HUC-JIR), where Gail was ordained as the fourth female Jewish Cantor in 1978, and subsequently received a master's degree in voice performance and musicology from University of Nebraska in 1980.She became a member of the professional women’s music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota, while a student.While in seminary, Gail Posner Karp served Temple Beth Torah on Long Island as their first cantor in the late 70’s.