She's not an accompanist

One of the many things that Karen learned from her own mentors: the art of true music-making, regardless of instrument or voice ensemble, is not well-served by the attitude that a pianist is merely an "accompanist" — one who provides music on demand like a machine, or serves merely as the "background".

"Collaborative pianists" believe in an equal partnership with their fellow performers, while acknowledging the differing role that each person plays. This special breed of pianists have a real love and instinct for shared music-making, a higher awareness of their partners and aren't afraid to show their strong passion for the sake of the art.

Collaborative Piano

A frequent performer who inspires confidence and calm in her musical partners, Karen specializes in preparing recitals and special event performances.

While Karen excels in all forms of the vocal repertoire, she has a particular love and passion for the art song genre. She has been praised for her "sensitive, fine playing" and for "exquisite interpretation" of the poetry to music. Certainly Karen's love for languages and poems pervade her work with singers.

Karen's experience extends to chamber music, including strings, woodwinds, percussion and brass. She revels in the sonata repertoire, regardless of instrumentation, due to the intimacy of duo settings. She has been known to "stick like glue" to her partners and "impossible to lose" in heavily virtuosic passages for either parties.

Karen can perform with you for your event, audition, competition or recording, and is happy to consult with you to develop a rehearsal schedule as part of an overall package customized to your particular requirement.