Karen grew up in L.A in a classical music family, with both of her parents highly regarded string players. It made sense that she began studying classical piano at 4 yrs old, classical flute soon after, studying with some of the finest musicians L A had to offer. In addition, she was exposed to an abundance of folk music at an early age, studied folk guitar and attended every Pete Seeger and Weavers concert she could. As a 7 year old, she discovered the amazing harmonies of doo-wop and Motown, which far more than classical, drew her interest and fed her spirit. As soon as she could drive, she searched the ghettos of LA for harmony groups surrounding a juke box and singing doo wop harmonies over and again seeking the perfect balance. It was heavenly! To this day, she is always in search of a harmony and even dreams harmonies.
As a young adult, she was the music and art director of a preschool, Mary Poppins style, with guitar strapped to her back, co inventing songs with the preschoolers about their lives, families, feelings and experiences. As an adult she continued her classical roots, taking her flute with her to Israel to the Kibbutz where she lived, which allowed her access to friends and experiences that were extraordinary…playing chamber music with Kibbutz musicians, overlooking the Mediterranean and playing harmony flute backup to sing alongs at the Kibbutz. After a long hiatus, raising 2 fine sons, she reentered the music world, this time following her real passion which is using her skills and knowledge of music theory for harmony singing.
She has sung with Threshold choir for the past dozen years, singing in duets and trios at bedsides of people who were on the Threshold of life and death. This has brought tremendous joy and satisfaction. She’s spent the past decade learning South African 4 part harmony songs and for the past 3 years has been part of the Healer Trio doing what she loves most, singing backup harmony and performing with the goal of creating a sense of hope, inspiration and community.