Karen Brunssen is Associate Professor of Music at the Bienen School of Music, Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where she teaches voice and is Co-Chair of Music Performance. She is a recipient of the Excellence in Teaching Award. She is a frequent teacher, clinician, and adjudicator for organizations, colleges, and universities throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Presentations chronicle how changes in respiration, vibration and resonance impact realistic, age appropriate expectations for singing throughout a lifetime. She has done teaching residencies at Cambridge University, returns regularly to teach at the Zürcher Sing-Akademie in Switzerland, has presented or been a panelist for NATS, Opera America, ACDA, IFCM, NCCO, and Chorus America, and taught at the International Institute of Vocal Arts in Italy, and the Castleton Music Festival. She begins her two-year term as president of the National Association of Teachers of Singing in June, 2018, served as a Master Teacher for the NATS Intern Program, was 2016 NATS National Conference Program Chair, Governor of Central Region NATS, President of Chicago Chapter NATS, and is a member of the American Academy of Teachers of Singing. Her singing career spanned over 30 years throughout the US and Europe. She received her undergraduate degree from Luther College and has done graduate work at Yale University and Kent State University. In 2013 she was presented with the Weston Noble Award by Luther College.
