Karen Mueller: Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele, Irish Bouzouki, Dulcimer, Autoharp Instructor

Karen Mueller is a nationally-touring performer and instructor with 30 years’ experience who plays a wide range of stringed instruments, including guitar, autoharp, mountain dulcimer, mandolin, and ukulele. She was recently named Autoharp Quarterly magazine’s “Person of the Year” and has received many national and regional awards, including the prestigious McKnight Artist Fellowship for Performing Musicians, the International Autoharp Championship, and the Minneapolis Arts Commission’s “Special Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts in Community” for work with older adults. She has also been inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame, and is the bandleader for Katie McMahon, original lead singer from Riverdance.

Karen is in demand as a performer, studio musician, school residency artist and general music instructor, and enjoys working with students of all ages and levels. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, in a variety of styles that include folk, Americana, Celtic, and contemporary. One of her students has said that “Karen is a skilled, articulate teacher who is both focused and goal oriented. She has the ability to help students achieve a high level of competence in a short time frame.”

Karen has released six solo recordings and authored three music books, including “Celtic Autoharp” published by Mel Bay Publications. Her recorded music has appeared in ongoing editions of the Silver Burdette Making Music series of elementary music education. She has also contributed selections to numerous anthology recordings, including two volumes of “Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer,” “Autoharp Legacy,” and the “Minnesota Fiddle Tunes Project.”

Karen works closely with each student to determine the best teaching mode for their learning style and musical preferences, be it by written music, tablature, chord charts, or by ear. Close attention is paid at the outset to establishing comfortable ergonomics with the instrument and developing good playing and practice habits.

Because Karen has both classical training as well as rich experience with traditional music (such as Celtic, folk and Appalachian), she strives to help students understand music theory principles as they apply to help them learn the music they want to play. She is known as a patient, encouraging, fun, and flexible teacher. Her students have ranged in age from 5 to 90, and she believes it is never too late to start learning the joy of playing an instrument.

Single Lessons (Online Only):
30 min. – $30
60 min. – $60

Cancellations:

• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy, to ensure respect for the time reserved for the lesson.
• Lessons canceled with less than 24 hours’ notice still require payment and may not be rescheduled.

Payment:

• Payment is requested for a month at a time based on number of lessons a student wishes to book in a coming month.
• Accepted payment methods include: check, cash, PayPal, and credit card (for slight added fee).

Lesson Time Expectations:
When a 30- or 60-minute lesson is scheduled, that is the total time allocated for the lesson, including time spent moving in and out of the studio and tuning. The more a student can be prepared in advance of the lesson time (tuning, etc.), the more time will be available for the lesson.

Available for online lessons only. Contact for availability.