Karen has been called "one of the best-kept secrets in the dulcimer world," but that's changing quickly as more and more people enjoy her innovative dulcimer style. She applies the same exciting rhythms, sensitive dynamics and creative arrangements that she is known for on the Autoharp to her dulcimer, with "dazzling" results (Autoharp Quarterly).

Karen began playing dulcimer in 1979, just one year after starting the Autoharp. The Pacific Rim Dulcimer Project record had recently been released, and through it Karen found a kinship with the artists' approach to music and the dulcimer. This featured the playing of Neal Hellman, Robert Force and Albert d'Ossche, Bonnie Carol and more, and Karen soon found their other recordings. She also began developing her own songs and arrangements of pieces she knew.

While living in Lawrence, Kansas, in the '80s, Karen teamed up with dulcimer players and other musicians. In 1984 her friends encouraged her to compete in the Kansas State Dulcimer Championships, and she took first place. Entering the following year, she won again. Though her focus in the Walnut Valley Festival contests had been Autoharp, she decided at the last minute to enter the National Dulcimer Contest in 1985, and was a top five finalist the only time she entered. (She took third in Autoharp that year, and won in 1986.)

For a few years, Karen focused primarily on the Autoharp, guitar and mandolin. When she moved to Minneapolis in 1989, she decided to get serious about the dulcimer again. She now includes the dulcimer in all her performances, and will showcase it in an upcoming recording. She teaches private lessons in the Twin Cities, and workshops nationwide. Some of these include: Augusta Heritage Center Spring Dulcimer Week, Heartland Dulcimer Camp, Great Plains Folk Festival, Lone Star Dulcimer Festival, Shade Tree Music (S. California), Old Time Music (Indiana), and more.

Karen's current dulcimers are a Ron Ewing standard and Blue Lion bass (pictured above).