Performer

Karen Birch Blundell is a New York City-based performer and teaching artist. Currently, she serves as English Horn with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Acting Principal oboe of the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra and Associate Principal Oboe/English Horn with the Eastern Festival Orchestra. She has performed with prominent ensembles across the Northeast, including the American Symphony Orchestra, Albany Symphony, Hartford Symphony, New Jersey Festival Orchestra, Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and the West Point Band.

Previously, Karen held the position of Second Oboe/English Horn with the Sarasota Orchestra, and frequently performed with other regional ensembles such as the Florida Orchestra, Florida Philharmonic, and Naples Philharmonic. Her guest appearances include performances with the Houston Symphony, Houston Ballet Orchestra, and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. She has also toured the U.S. with the New Sousa Band and shared the stage with musical legends including Béla Fleck, Idina Menzel, Bernadette Peters, Mannheim Steamroller, and The Who.

Karen holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and the Hartt School of Music and was a fellow at the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Her principal teachers include James Caldwell, Humbert Lucarelli, and Robert Atherholt. A Howarth Artist, Karen performs on Howarth XL instruments.

Karen holds degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and the Hartt School of Music and was a fellow at the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. Her principal teachers include James Caldwell, Humbert Lucarelli, and Robert Atherholt. A Howarth of London Artist, Karen performs on Howarth XL instruments.

Teaching Artist

As a teaching artist, Karen has contributed to community engagement programs with numerous organizations, including the Sarasota Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra, and Young Audiences. She has also led seminars and masterclasses at institutions such as Amherst College, The Hartt School, the International Double Reed Society, the Knight Foundation, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and Lucarelli Oboe Camp. Karen served as Director of Community Engagement for the New World Symphony for two seasons and is a proud recipient of their prestigious NWS Blue Grant. Additionally, Karen was the Community Outreach Coordinator at the Eastern Music Festival, where she was also a member of the oboe faculty for 20 years. During her time at EMF, she created and presented a wide variety of programs, including professional development seminars, Behind the Music lectures, as well as lecture/performances for Rotary International and the Road Scholar program. Additionally, she coached student ensembles in community engagement skills. Recently, Karen has developed multiple educational programs, including Once Upon an Orchestra for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and Storytime with the Symphony for the Washington Heights Chamber Orchestra.