Karen graduated from Kelso High School and sang in groups there under Howard Meharg’s direction. Her degrees are from PLU. She taught choral music for thirty-one years in Sumner, as well as serving as music coordinator for the district. Her service on the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission helped develop academic learning requirements in the arts for the state. She helped create classroom-based performance assessments in music. Karen has served as president at three levels for ACDA; state president, NW president, and national president of the 20,000 member organization. Other honors include an award for professional excellence from WWU, the 1996 Christa McAuliffe Award, the 1997 State Teacher of the Year Award and the 2008 Leadership and Service Award from WA-ACDA. Karen is currently the Executive Director of Rainier Youth Choirs of Kent.