.... Karen earned her Bachelor of Arts at California State University, Long Beach with a specialization in Dance Education. She has held state teaching credentials in both California and Oregon and has taught for more than 20 years in public education, private schools and dance studios. A Screen Actor's Guild cardholder, Karen has a background in theater/voice/dance, appearing on stage in "Oklahoma","Carousel", "Born Yesterday" and others, in Long Beach State University's Dance Collaborative... as a featured actress in television commercials for Oscar Mayer, Mick's Alehouse, Beach's and more... and in the ABC Movie of the Week, "Inherit the Wind" starring Kirk Douglas.
Karen has choreographed and/or directed dance sequences for Rogue Music Theater (The Wizard of Oz), tv's Star Search (junior dance trio: Wes Veldink, Mary Harry and Tara Massey), The Miss Rogue Valley Pagaent, Tanzsommer Dance Festival Stars Of Tomorrow (Austria, Europe), various regional high schools, and adjudicated for the Oregon State Thespian Finals as well as Spotlight National Dance Events.
Off the stage, Karen is a published writer of regional articles in California and Oregon, and a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for foster children in Josephine county.
As the co-founder/owner of All That Jazz and the director of its Advanced Production ensemble since 1991, Karen has had the privilege of leading the group to numerous national dance titles, to perform on tour throughout Austria,Europe, and to appear in interviews, a national ad & rankings in both Dance Teacher and Dance Spirit magazines.
Karen is known for her positive and encouraging teaching style, love for musical/dance theater, emphasis on the importance of good early technique work, and fostering an atmosphere of ' fun ... with focus' in the classroom.
