Karen holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Music Education from Towson University. She has studied bassoon with Richard Spittel, Dr. Gene Griswold, and Dr. Terry Ewell.

Karen is an active performer in the Baltimore area. She has performed with many groups throughout Maryland, including The Londontowne Symphony Orchestra.

Karen is an elementary school band and strings teacher for Anne Arundel County Public Schools where she has taught since 1997.

She is a member of the Music Educators National Conference and the International Double Reed Society. She co-authored an article on bassoon reeds that was published in The International Double Reed Society Journal and in Scrapes.