Karen Krummel - Cello

Karen Krummel has taught cello at Calvin University since 1995, leading the renowned Cello Cabaret ensemble for nearly a decade.  She was a full-time member of the Grand Rapids Symphony for 22 years before retiring in 2011 in order to spend more time with her family and continue her education.   She continues to teach cello, and she plays in both the West Michigan Symphony and the Grand Rapids Symphony.  She also performs in chamber ensembles and at popular music venues around West Michigan.

Karen started cello in kindergarten in London at the age of 4 on a 1/10th size cello.  She studied music at the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois, where her cello teachers included Samuel Mayes, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, and Louis Potter.  She has participated in music festivals and held fellowships at Aspen, Banff, Monterey, Los Angeles and Tanglewood, where she worked with Janos Starker, Lynn Harrell, Joel Krosnick, and Yo Yo Ma.  Karen earned a B. Music degree from the University of Michigan and a M. Music from the University of Illinois, followed by a year in residency at the Banff Centre.  She later also earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Now in addition to her many musical activities, Karen enjoys her work as an RN Case Manager for Corewell Health’s Home Based Primary Care program.

Sponsored by Susan Rehrer