Karen Brunssen

Karen Brunssen, NATS Immediate-Past President, Professor of Voice and Co-Chair of Music Performance, Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University.

She is a frequent vocal clinician, master teacher, panelist, adjudicator and presenter, recently at the 2020 NATS Virtual Conference, 2020 Eurovox, 2019 ACDA Conference, 2017 ICVT, numerous teaching residencies at Cambridge University and the Zürcher-Sing Akadamie, the International Symposium on Singing in Newfoundland, Opera America, Chorus America, Podium2016-Choral Canada, Philippines Choral Directors Association, Camarata virtual presentations in South Korea.

Her spirited presentations, articles, and new book, The Evolving Singing Voice: Changes Across the Lifespan, (Plural Publishing), chronicle changes in respiration, vibration and resonance, and the impact on realistic, age appropriate expectations for vocal development throughout a lifetime of singing.

Karen attended Luther College, and did graduate work at the Yale School of Music and Kent State University. In 2013 she was presented the Weston Noble Award by Luther College. She was awarded the Northwestern University Alumni Association the “Excellence in Teaching Award.” Karen is a Consultant Editor with Plural Publishing.