About Karen
Karen Olson, Ph.D., is a multi-award-winning violist, composer, recording artist, and best-selling
author whose work bridges musical excellence and transformation. Her nine albums have
reached the Top 10 on five Billboard charts, including Classical and New Age. Blending
classical tradition with crossover and world influences, she creates a visionary New
Age/Classical Crossover sound that uplifts, calms, and restores.
A longtime member of The New York Pops, Olson appears regularly at Carnegie Hall and has
performed on many of the world’s great stages, including Lincoln Center, as well as
internationally in Tokyo, Cairo, Reykjavik, Mexico City, Banff, Montreal, and throughout the
United States. Her collaborations span a remarkable range of artists, including Frank Sinatra,
Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli, Renée Fleming, Sarah McLachlan, Jason Mraz, and Roger Daltrey
of The Who.
Karen has a Bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School, Master’s degrees from Juilliard and
Yale University, and a Ph.D. from New York University. Her viola scale book, published by E.C.
Schirmer, is widely used and has become an established part of the viola repertoire. Her award-
winning, best-selling book SoundPath: Using the Power of Sound and Silence for Health,
Harmony, and Happiness continues to inspire healing worldwide. In addition to performing and
recording, she offers an intuitive, energy-informed approach through programs, workshops, and
private sessions—helping people reconnect with clarity, resilience, and a deeper sense of well-
being, guided by an intuitive, spiritually grounded presence.
“Karen’s music is ethereal and expressive beyond words. Emanating from deep within her soul, unique heartfelt interpretations and exquisitely refined musicianship synergize and offer an unparalleled, unforgettable, incredibly moving musical experience.”
Barry Bittman, MD CEO Yamaha Music and Wellness Institute
