Karen Hogle Brown

Voice Part: Soprano

Season you joined the Chorale: 2000-2001

Birthplace: Tucson, AZ

Education/Vocal Training: Master of Music in Vocal Performance, University of Arizona; Bachelor of Vocal and Instrumental Music Education, summa cum laude, University of Arizona

Do you make your living as a musician? Yes

If so, where else do you gig/teach/conduct/sing/perform? Synagogue, movies, other recordingsI am an outreach teaching artist for the LA Master Chorale, the Los Angeles Opera, and the Music Center Active Arts. Every time I come to the music center, I ask myself, which department am I going to? I also direct children's choirs at San Marino Community Church

Where else do you sing NOW? ? Los Angeles Opera Chorus, The Los Angeles Chamber Singers and Cappella, The Millennium Consort, The Jacaranda Chamber Singers, the LA Master Chorale's Chamber Singers, and occasional studio work.

Recent solo roles or guest appearances: LA Philharmonic - Soprano Soloist for Schnittke Symphony No. 4 (Green Umbrella series); several appearances with PACEM – Pacific Academy of Ecclesiastical Music in San Diego, CA; recent co-winner of the Beverly Hills Recital Series (will give a recital in January 2010 with fellow LAMC member Scott Graff performing music of LAMC member Shawn Kirchner). In my outreach performances, I recently played Sinopa/Suzanna in The Marriage of Figueroa presented by LA Opera Outreach.

Recordings/TV/Film: You'll hear me sing a few solo lines on the soundtrack to Avatar coming out in December 2009, and I was the soprano soloist for the independent film 9/Tenths; soundtracks for 2012, X-men Origins: Wolverine, National Treasure 2, License to Wed, Lady in the Water among others. I've also had the privilege to record with Linda Ronstadt and Brian Setzer, and have done the Master Chorale recordings for Daniel Variations, Itaipu and Te Deum by Argento, and the Grammy Award®-winning Padilla: Sun of Justice with the LA Chamber Singers

Highlights of your musical career: A lot of firsts – Grant Gershon's first season, the first concert in Walt Disney Concert Hall, and recently, Dudamel's first concert with the LA Phil.

Favorite choral work: If I HAVE to choose, probably Mahler Symphony No. 2. Even though there's not a lot of singing, it's so powerful when it happens.

A defining moment or favorite onstage experience: El Niño with the LA Phil and Peter Sellars. Not only is Dawn Upshaw my hero, but with my dance background, I loved being able to add some movement to my singing, and involve my whole body and being in my performance.

What are you listening to these days? Joan Sutherland and Bollywood (I think it's a palate cleanser and fun to dance to)

Anything you’d like to add about yourself? I'm a recovering band and drum corp geek.