Karen Brunssen, Professor of Voice and Co-Chair of the Music Performance Department at Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University. She is Past-President of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and a member of the American Academy of Teachers of Singing. Her book, The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes Across the Lifespan, published by Plural Publishing, has been the topic of her presentations at conferences around the world including NATS National Conferences in 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, ACDA 2015, 2016, Chorus America, PEVoC13, ICVT 2017, Stockholm 2022, Toronto 2025, and International Federation for Choral Music in China and Portugal, Choral Canada, and teaching residencies in Newfoundland, Zurich, Switzerland, China, Cambridge University, throughout the US and virtually in Japan, the Philippines, Australia, and more. She is in demand as an adjudicator, presenter, and master teacher.
Karen was honored to receive the 2024 NATS IMPACT Award at the NATS National Conference, the Luther College Weston Noble Award in 2013, and the Excellence in Teaching Award from Northwestern University in 2009. Her singing career includes concert, oratorio, opera, and recital across the United States, Canada, Germany, France, and Spain. Karenโs students have performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Covent Garden, and Theatre an der Wien as well as teaching at universities and colleges around the world.
Professor of Voice | Co-Chair of Music Performance, Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University | Past-President, National Association of Teachers of Singing | NATS Master Teacher 2013 | American Academy of Teachers of Singing | Voice Foundation | Pan-American Vocology Association | American Choral Directors Association
