AMEBA

Acrobatic and Aerial Dance

Core Dancer

A Chicago native, Karen received a BS in nursing, with a minor in Theatre/Dance in 1992 form Northern Illinois University, where she studied ballet, modern, jazz and classical Spanish dance. Throughout the last decade she has devoted her life to both modern and flamenco dance, which she has performed locally as well as internationally. Flamenco became a strong influence in her life after joining Azucena Vega's Soul & Duende Spanish Dance Theatre in 1995, dancing a fusion mix of jazz and flamenco. From there she went on to become a member of Ole' Ole' Puppet and Dance Theater in 1999, as well as dancing as a guest for various independent modern choreographers including the cutting-edge choreographer Bob Eisen. Karen has studied classical ballet daily since 1988 and has taught at CMDC, home of Bryant Ballet. She has always had a great fascination with the circus arts and joined AMEBA in 2003 after collaborating with Chloe Jensen on a project at Links Hall. Karen's choreography has been presented at Prarie Center for the Arts, Harold Washington Library, Links Hall, Athenaeum Theatre, Chernin Center for the Arts, and Underground Vaudeville. Karen is also a guest singer with the rock trio Space Rhino fronted by Steve Doyle. Now she is thrilled to be taking dance into the air and looks forward to many more seasons with AMEBA!