Karen Mueller
Karen
Mueller is one of the top autoharp and mountain dulcimer
players today. Her
exciting and innovative performing style, featuring
Appalachian, Celtic and contemporary music, has been
applauded by critics and audiences from LA to Boston.
Bluegrass Unlimited magazine has said "Karen Mueller's
touch, timing and taste make her a true virtuoso. Her talent
and clarity ... deserve a wide audience." Karen won the 1986
International Autoharp Championship and was a National
Dulcimer finalist in 1985, both at the Walnut Valley
Festival in Winfield, KS. A native of Winfield, she first
attended the festival while in high school and was inspired
to learn to play the autoharp and dulcimer by the performers
she saw there.
While touring
extensively as a soloist, she also currently works in the
band of Katie McMahon, original lead singer of Riverdance.
Karen is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist; besides
autoharp and dulcimer, she plays guitar, mandolin, Irish
bouzouki and bass dulcimer. In 2000, the Minnesota Bluegrass
and Old-Time Music Association awarded Karen its
“Recognition of Excellence.” She has also been an official
showcase artist at the North American Folk Alliance
Conference.
Based in Minneapolis, Karen is in demand as a performer,
studio musician, school residency artist and instructor. She
gives private lessons in the Twin Cities to around 50
students of all ages and levels at West Bank School of Music
and Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. Karen is also on the rosters
of Young Audiences of Minnesota and the State Arts Board’s
Folk Arts Directory.
Advanced CD (with the music and book)
"Auoharp
Gourmet"
(Enhanced
CD):
It's a CD! It's a book! It's BOTH!
Books
Celtic Autoharp - MBK102
Recordings
Still Point
(cd) MRC019
Clarity
(cd) MRC020
