About Ms. Amlaw
Karen Amlaw, semi-finalist in the 2007 Peter Elvins Vocal Competition, returned to singing after a 15 year leave in September 2003. What was at that time a one day a week commitment: singing in choir to get a break from the stresses of life as a restaurant manager has grown into a whole different career focus as a musician, music administrator and educator.
Ms. Amlaw has appeared in scenes from Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte as Fiordiligi, Don Giovanni as Donna Elvira, Idomeneo as Elettra, Le Nozze di Figaro as Countessa Almaviva, and The Magic Flute as Second Lady, as well as Cimarosa’s Il Matrimonio Segreto as Elisetta, Weber’s Der Freischüz as Agathe, and Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice as Euridice. She also has performed The Elixir of Love with Lowell Opera Company and was featured in their Italian Cabaret, Something for Everyone: A Tragedy/A Comedy Tonight and holiday outreach programs. In 2007 Ms. Amlaw joined Worcester Opera Works in their production of The Marriage of Figaro and sang Mother Gerald in Poulenc's Dialogues of the Carmelites with Boston Opera Collaborative.
Ms. Amlaw has received merit scholarships to support her operatic studies at both Richard Crittenden’s Opera Studio and New England Conservatory’s School of Continuing Education Opera Studio.
In 2004 she appeared with the Master Singers of Worcester as soloist in Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy, as well as in their Boar’s Head Festival and Music at the Meeting House concerts. In spring 2005 she covered the principal soprano role and appeared in the double quartet for their performance of Eleanor Daley’s Requiem.
Equally at home in liturgical settings, Ms. Amlaw has appeared as soloist at several area churches including Wesley United Methodist Church in Worcester, Christ Church in Fitchburg and St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden. These appearances have included soprano soloist in Mozart’s Missa Brevis in C and both the mezzo and soprano roles in Handel’s Messiah and portions of Mozart's Grand Mass in C Minor. She was also one of four sopranos, including Maria Ferrante, featured in a choral version of Karg-Elert’s Symphonic Choral No. 3 with organist Brian Jones in the Organ Dedication Concert Series at the First Unitarian Church of Worcester.
Ms. Amlaw has been a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church Choir and the First Unitarian Church Festival Choir and is frequently invited to join other area choirs for special events. In 2006 she was selected to join the Wesley Festival Singers in a performance of Duruflé’s Requiem, as well as perform Mendelssohn’s Elijah in the Annual Spring Choral Concert at the Memorial Congregational Church in Sudbury, MA (a performance in which she was the soprano section leader and member of the solo octet). She also is currently the soprano soloist/section leader for the United Congregational Church in Worcester.
Ms. Amlaw’s education includes a BA in psychology with a minor in music from the University of Rochester/Eastman School of Music where her principal instrument was violin. She has studied voice with Karen Lykes (currently professor of voice at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music), Maria Ferrante, and world renowned soprano Maria Spacagna. Her coaches have included Brian Moll, Olga Rogach and Bradley Pennington, founder of Boston Bel Canto Opera.
When not singing she can be found using her teaching, marketing and administrative talents in support of artists and education. Currently, she is the Lesson Administrator/Events Coordinator/Kids on Keys Program Director at Robinson Music Inc. in Westborough, MA, a traveling music teacher for the YWCA Pre-school Program in Westborough, MA as well as a marketing resource for local artists.
She resides in Worcester, MA with her two adopted cats: Deni and Amigo.
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This page was last updated: July 10, 2008
