Karen Massey

Music is a strong driving force and innate passion for Karen (she/her). Originally from Texas, she studied piano, voice, and theater throughout her childhood and teen years, with music quickly becoming a professional focus. Karen received a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Theater from Centenary College of Louisiana. She went on to receive a Master of Music in Opera and Musical Theater from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She has participated in various summer programs over the years including: the Advanced Vocal Institute at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, and most recently, the Wesley Balk Opera / Music-Theater Institute with Nautilus Music-Theater here in the Twin Cities.

Karen has enjoyed working professionally as a singer and actor, performing in national children's tours and summer theater. Since moving to the Twin Cities in 2011, Karen has taken on varying roles as a singer, actor, and music director with local theater companies as well as creating original theater for several years with her company, Ghostbridge Theatre.

She is also a singer-songwriter and releases her music independently. Her debut EP was released in August 2020. Since then, she has released a handful of singles and a full length album. She loves writing her songs on the piano and the unique sound that helps create.

Karen joined the Blue Tree community as a teacher in 2015. She currently teaches piano and appreciates the instrument’s versatility in helping to provide a high quality, general music background. She believes learning to read music and having solid music theory knowledge allows for more creative expression “outside of the box” as a student progresses in their music studies. In addition, she places an emphasis on the individuality of each student. She caters to the individual interests and personalities of her students through improvisation, supplemental sheet music, intensive scale and chord work, allowing students a choice in the type of books they use (especially pre-teen and teen students,) helping with school music projects, using chord charts or lead sheets or helping students create their own, and teaching students to accompany themselves while they sing, create their own arrangement of a song or compose their own song.

Even though Karen no longer teaches voice lessons at Blue Tree, she is open to incorporating singing, songwriting, or special audition prep into piano lessons on request. She also enjoys subbing and stepping in when other voice teachers are absent. Mainly, she loves sharing love and helping others find joy in their own lives through music.

Karen teaches on TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS & THURSDAYS and is currently booked. To get on Karen's waiting list, click the link below.

Take lessons from Karen