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Performing Experience

  • 2019 to Current: Performances for Senior Communities around the Portland area.

  • 1990s to Current: Solo/Small Group Performances: Boston Museum of Fine Arts Ladies Teas, Weddings, Banquets, Religious services, Tango and English Country Dances, Farmer’s Markets, Community/Civic orchestras

  • Four orchestral concertos as soloist: Vivaldi (2 concertos), Bach Brandenburg and Mozart Flute Concertos

  • Classical groups: SW Washington Symphony, Pacific Crest Wind Ensemble, Pacific Crest Chamber Orchestra, Boston Chamber Ensemble, Harvard Musical Assn Reading Orchestra, Multiple Recitals (Boston, Portland), many Chamber concerts

classical Beginnings/education

I’m a classically trained flutist (Boston: Marianne Gedigian, Ellie Preble, Vytas Baksys) who fell in love with World Music. I’ve attended multiple flute Masterclasses and studied Alexander & Feldenkrais Techniques. I’ve also played in Thara Memory’s Jazz/Classical Orchestra class (PDX) - including performance of 2 Vivaldi Concertos and 1 Bach Brandenberg Concerto; studied with Fred Hoadley (Seattle Salsa Band), Dina Blade/Hans Brehmer (Seattle Singing - American Standards); attended one Brazilian Choro workshop (Pt. Townsend, WA) and one Tango for Musicians workshop (Reed College, PDX).

Social Dancing - My introduction to World/Popular Music

Amateur social dancing provided a welcome introduction to World/Popular Music: Swing, Salsa, Argentine Tango and Folk music. At my first Swing dance in Boston in 1996, the band played the Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn tune “Take the A Train”….I was hooked! I currently dance Argentine Tango.

South American Teachers - Taking it to another level

Inspired by South American teachers, I’ve learned how to REALLY know a piece of music inside-out: original melody, structure, chords, tempo, words (if exist), accompanying dance, existing artist interpretations, etc… It is a lifelong labor of love!

TEAching

Contact me Here if you want to learn about:

1) Solid Flute Technique (honed with teachers such as Marianne Gedigian, Zart Eby-Dombourian and Paulina Fain)

2) Working through a song/piece with a backing track

3) Latin/ World music for flute

5) Other Help: Music Theory, Using Backing Tracks, Transcription, Arranging

Also please feel free to email to KarenFluteSongs@gmail.com.