The LairMistress's Musician's Vita

Karen I. Olsen: Mistress of the Lair

106 Bell Street Apt. 315 Seattle, WA 98121 Email: tonksdhr@yahoo.com
Website: https://www.angelfire.com/folk/karivox

Curriculum Vitae

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• 2002-Present:Continued and expanded street performing throughout Seattle, at festival events and outdoor performing spots, with expanded presence at area open mics and private gatherings. Completed second studio CD demo at Bards Cathedral Studio on February 16, 2004.

• 2001-2002: Street Performing at Seattle-area festivals and street fairs in addition to continued performance at Pike Place Market. Making inquiries into full-length album recording project.

• 1998-2002: Street Performing at Pike Place Market; serving as guitarist/violinist with some vocals in praise band at Agape Lutheran Campus Chapel.

• 1996-2002: Extensive volunteer work with Northwest Folklife, One Reel and WOMAD USA festival organizations. Contributed to Northwest Folklife’s 25th Anniversary Songwriter Showcase.

• 1996-2000: Member of Seattle Folklore Society Concert Committee, participating in production of numerous folk concerts at venues of varied size in the Seattle area.

• 1995-1996: Assistant Concert Organizer (volunteer) with New Wave Arts and Entertainment, Inc. Involved in organization and publicity/promotion for world music concerts, focussing on South Asian world music, qawwali and ghazal performers (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rahat Ali Khan, Munni Begum). Additional promotion for the Rizwan-Muazzam Qawwali ensemble in 1999 and 2000, and Rahat Ali Khan in 2001.

• 1993-1994: Began playing bodhran and other frame drums; began study of classical Indian tabla drumming with Tor Dietrichson in October 1993. Performed in tabla drumming ensemble at Seattle World Rhythm Festival in 1994. Beginning of interest and immersion in non-Western world music genres (Pakistani qawwali, classical Indian, various African and Middle Eastern traditions especially).

• 1991: Moved to Seattle from Phoenix, AZ; began performing in songwriter showcases at Northwest Folklife Festival, and at Seattle-area Irish sessions and other informal gatherings. Began serving as guitarist in contemporary church services at Agape Lutheran Campus Chapel.

• 1990-1991: While living and working in Phoenix, AZ, involved with Fiddler’s Dream Coffeehouse and local folk music community, including open mic performances. Some open mic performance in Albuquerque, NM as well.

• Experience prior to 1990 includes extensive history of performance (solo and in folk and classical ensembles) at nursing homes, church services, college-based and community orchestra and chamber concerts and community-based musical theater productions (Maryland, Virginia and DC-Area), St. Mary’s College (eastern Maryland) summer music camp, Deer Creek Fiddler’s Convention, the Friends of Appalachian Music (FOAM) (Williamsburg, VA) and evening dances at Irish music festivals at Glen Echo Park (Washington, DC). Songwriting experience dates from 1978. Self-taught and informally taught on guitar since 1978; formal study of violin, 1974-1982; formal study of piano, 1971-1976.