BIO
On the concert stage, Ms. Albert has given performances of works such as Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures (Gaylord Community Orchestra) and Libby Larsen’s Raspberry Island Dreaming (Alpena Symphony Orchestra). In 2022, she was the alto soloist in Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (Holland Symphony Orchestra), alto soloist in Lili Boulanger's Hymne au Soleil (Vox GR), and the alto soloist in Handel's Messiah and Saint-Saens' Oratorio de Noel (Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.) She was also a featured recitalist in the Music at Midday recital series at Park Church. A frequent performer of oratorio literature, Karen has also sung the alto solos in Mozart’s Requiem (First United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant, First Presbyterian Church of Alma), Handel’s Utrecht Te Deum (Choral Society of Grand Rapids), John Rutter’s Requiem (Grand Rapids Symphony), and selections from Bach’s Magnificat (Grand Rapids Symphony/Park Congregational Church). She has been a featured recitalist in concert series throughout the region. Other notable solo engagements include performances at Little Stone Church (Mackinac Island, MI), historic St. Lorenz Lutheran Church (Frankenmuth, MI), Fountain Street Church (Grand Rapids, MI), and First United Methodist Church (Grand Rapids, MI).
In addition to her work as a soloist, Karen is also a member of Grand Rapids' premiere fully professional choral ensemble Vox GR. She has appeared as an ensemble member with Red Shift Choir of Baton Rouge, LA, and has been featured with the Pine Mountain Music Festival as an UPStart Young Artist. She received training in choral singing from the Seraphic Fire Professional Choral Institute at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, CO.
Recent opera and musical theater credits include the role of "Queen Priss" in The Balachian Prince (workshop recording), “Katisha” in The Mikado (CMU Opera Theater), “Mrs. McClean” in Susannah (West Michigan Opera Project), “Carmen” from Carmen in an opera scenes collage (Operaret), “Cio Cio San’s Mother” in Madama Butterfly (Soo Opera), “The Sandman” in Hansel and Gretel (Comic Opera Guild), and “June” in a recorded version of Victor Herbert’s The Girl in the Spotlight (Comic Opera Guild). Karen has also performed as a chorus member for various opera productions with Opera Grand Rapids, Pine Mountain Music Festival, and MSU Opera Theater.
As a musicologist, Ms. Albert has given paper presentations on French-Canadian folk song literature at conferences in Calgary, AB, Canada and Chicago, IL. She has also presented lecture recitals on various topics, including theological interpretations of J.S. Bach’s oratorio arias and the parallels between ancient and modern vocal literature. She holds master's degrees in musicology and voice performance from Michigan State University and Central Michigan University respectively.
Karen has been a staff singer with historic Park Church in Grand Rapids, MI, and with the Diocese of Grand Rapids. She has taught music history and vocal courses at Cornerstone University and Alma College. She has also taught voice students at both the Michigan State University and Central Michigan University Community Music Schools.
Karen is on the roster of Vocal Artist Management Services. More information about her career and performances, as well as booking inquiries can be accessed at their website. Upcoming engagements for the 2023 season include concerts with Vox GR as well as a performance of Libby Larsen's Raspberry Island Dreaming with the Dexter Community Orchestra.
Karen is a proud native of Luce County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She currently resides in Grand Rapids, MI.