Back in 2002, when former church organist David Christianson purchased an Oberlinger organ for his home, he thought maybe he would play from time to time to relax. But, as it turns out, he can’t do it. That’s because his then 7-year-old daughter Karen liked this impressive instrument and devoted her life to classical music. Now, after hours of practice during eight years, 15-year-old Karen is one of the youngest organ virtuosos in the country. She recently made her radio debut on National Public Radio’s “From the Top” show.
Karen’s parents, David and Anastasia, said they had known since a very early age that Karen was musically inclined. “She was very skilled on the piano, even at the age of six,” said Anastasia.
At first, she learned to play from her father. But within a year, Karen started studying at the organ department at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia.
At the age of 8, she gave her first public performance at the historic Christ Church in Philadelphia. Soon after, she performed her first solo recital, playing a selection of Bach in honor of his birthday. By the age of 9, she was composing original works.
In the sixth-grade, she played in Notre Dame de Paris for acclaimed organist Olivier Latry. In 2010 alone, she performed in Atlanta, San Francisco, Athens, the Netherlands, New York and Abilene. And she’s got a full calendar already for 2011.
In the summer of 2009, Karen had a recital in Rhode Island. Her younger brother, Nicholas, an accomplished cellist, had a recital in Washington, DC, on the same day.
Despite her practice between 8-10 hours a week and tight schedule, she has a full load of academic and extracurricular activities without missing them.
And on top of all that, she still finds time to be a pretty normal teenager. She loves sailing and soccer. She is never far from her iPod, which holds an eclectic mix of Rock, Pop, Country and, of course, classical. And, as she looks toward her critical junior year at Episcopal Academy, her thoughts are turning to college and beyond.
Though she is still debating whether she’ll pursue music therapy or teaching, she knows that touching others with music will definitely be a part of her future.