Karen Koyama graduated from the University of Missouri – Kansas City with a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts in 1999. She studied with Richard Cass at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music. Upon graduation, Karen earned her commission as an Artillery Officer in Army Air Defense. She started her teaching career in 1995. Her students range from ages 6 – adults and teaches beginning through advanced piano.

Karen is an accomplished pianist and has been asked to perform twice for the California State Conventions in San Francisco and San Diego. Currently, she performs as the pianist for the Turtle Creek Trio. She is an active member of the National Music Teacher’s Association and McDowell Music Club and serves as the Secretary on the Board of Director’s for the Turtle Creek Chamber Orchestra.

Previously, she has taught in CA, NV and now in WI. She has participated as well as judged for various events ranging from Jr. Festival, South Western Youth Music Festival, Liszt Competition and most recently the Nie Young Artists Competition here in WI. Along with teaching at Beloit College, Karen maintains an active private studio.

Outside of her music, Karen is a mother of two boys, Jacob and Jonah. In 2018, she opened up a store in Downtown Beloit called Nine Bells and Cat Tails. She is a firm believer that teachers can affect their students far beyond the classroom and strives to prepare her students for a lifelong pursuit of excellence in music and in life.