Piano
Music Styles: Classical Piano, Keyboard Harmony, Music Theory, Music History, Integrative Musicianship
Techniques: Classical Piano Technique, Performance Practice
Karolyn has a reputation as a patient, nurturing, and enthusiastic teacher. She has taught for more than 30 years at a wide variety of institutions and has worked with students of all ages and abilities. While focusing on the development of technical and musical skills at the piano, she also works hard to create an environment conducive to risk-taking and the building of self-confidence. She wants her students to enjoy their time at the piano as well as become lifelong participants in the cultural life of the community.
Karolyn has pursued advanced study of the Alexander Technique, Dalcroze-Eurythmics, and the Kodály Method. Karolyn was an early recipient of the prestigious D.H. Baldwin Fellowship Award for Excellence in Teaching, a national award which recognizes talented young piano teachers.
Karolyn has served on the piano faculties at Roosevelt University and Concordia University. In addition to her piano teaching duties, Karolyn is the Minister of Music at a bilingual church, serves as a collaborative pianist for instrumentalists and singers, and adjudicates piano contests.
In addition to her work as a pianist and teacher, Karolyn founded Hands On! Children’s Art Museum of Chicago and served as its Executive Director for five years. She continues to be involved in the visual arts as a consultant and curriculum writer for elementary and middle schools. Her book, The Story of Art, was published by Phantom Muse Publishing and is used as a primary resource by art educators around the country.
In her spare time, Karolyn enjoys serving as the Vice President of Scholarships and Awards for the Moms Association at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, studying West African dance, and working as a freelance academic editor.
Education: Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University
Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University
Started at the Old Town School in December of 2014
