When Karen is asked why she chose to pursue music, her reply is, “I love bringing people together to feel uplifted and share laughter. I can do this every single time I sing, and it is exhilarating!” The joy and connection others feel through her music motivated Karen to find her voice and share it throughout her life. She has been performing and studying music since she was a young girl. Her father taught high school band so she was surrounded by music during childhood. His influence aided her training in music and theory.

Karen graduated from Weber State University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance in 2021. However, her educational journey did not begin there. Karen attended several universities including Brigham Young University-Hawaii and Utah Valley University, which afforded her unique experiences. She has been privileged to study with various mentors and participate in a vast array of ensembles. These mentors include Michael Belnap, Dr. Karen Bruestle, Martha Gutierrez, Dr. Isaac Hurtado, Clara Hurtado Lee, and Emily Pfeifer.

At the annual University of Northern Colorado Jazz Festival in 2010, Karen was recognized as an “Outstanding Vocal Soloist” when she performed “Somewhere” from West Side Story with her Jazz Band. Originally from Colorado, Karen sang as a tenor and soloist in Sweet Adelines International’s Bella Voce women’s barbershop show chorus. They performed across O’ahu, Hawaii on a ten-day performance tour in 2011 and scored in the top five of 233 internationally-competing barbershop choruses. In 2016, Karen collaborated with RJ Idos as a vocalist for a music video, “My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee” (link below).

In addition to being an accomplished vocalist, Karen has played bassoon for almost 20 years and picked up trumpet in 2009 so she could join the high school’s Jazz Band. She participated in All-State Band during high school as well as All-State Choir. All of these experiences cultivated her desire to provide others with rich experiences and to aid in their growth as individuals as well as musicians. She desires all under her tutelage, and those who work with her, to find and strengthen their unique voices. She loves sharing the abundance of musical knowledge she has accumulated.