Upon hearing the legendary Jacqueline Du Pre perform in Vancouver, Karen became enthralled with the cello. Lessons with Judith Fraser and Ian and Colin Hampton preceded a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance of the Cello, completed in 1985. Since then, Karen has gone on to complete a Professional Teaching Certificate, the Camosun College/Victoria Conservatory of Music Strings Diploma and Bachelor and Master’s Degrees in Education. Karen has also participated in six sessions of the Montreal Suzuki Institute, completing Suzuki Cello Books 1 – 8.
Karen teaches Suzuki Cello (Preparatory, Book 1, and Book 2) to VCM students ages 3 to 6 years, and the VCM Cello Orchestra, which welcomes adults of all levels. She also teaches Music and Strings in the Greater Victoria School District and enjoys performing with the Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra.
Karen plays a cello dated 2002 by Gregory Walke of Paisley, Ontario.