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The American mezzo-soprano, musicologist, educator, and digital marketer, Karen M. Schaefer Albert, obtained her Master of Arts degree in Musicology from Michigan State University (September 2015-May 2017); her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Cornerstone University (September 2011-May 2015); and her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Central Michigan University (September 2017-May 2019). She also has Certificate in Digital Marketing Science from Grand Valley State University (February 2022-April 2022).
Karen Albert performs as a self-employed mezzo-soprano specializing in choral, oratorio, and concert repertoire since May 2015. On the concert stage, she has given performances of works such as Edward Elgar’s Sea Pictures (Gaylord Community Orchestra) and Libby Larsen’s Raspberry Island Dreaming (Alpena Symphony Orchestra.) In 2023, she was a soloist in J.S. Bach's Cantata Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben BWV 147 (Vox GR.) 2022 performances included appearances as the alto soloist in L.v. Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 (Holland Symphony Orchestra), alto soloist in Lili Boulanger's Hymne au Soleil (Vox GR), and the alto soloist in George Frideric Handel's Messiah and Camille Saint-Saëns' Oratorio de Noel (Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra.) A frequent performer of oratorio literature, she has also sung the alto solos in W.A. Mozart’s Requiem (First United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant, First Presbyterian Church of Alma), G.F. Handel’s Utrecht Te Deum (Choral Society of Grand Rapids), John Rutter’s Requiem (Cornerstone University/Grand Rapids Symphony), and selections from J.S. Bach's Magnificat in D major BWV 243 (Park Congregational Church). She has been a featured artist in concert and lecture series throughout the Grand Rapids area, including the Music at Midday series at Park Church, Music Matters lecture/concert series at Cornerstone University, and Music in the Heights concert series at Alger Park Church. Other notable solo engagements include performances at Little Stone Church (Mackinac Island, Michigan), historic St. Lorenz Lutheran Church (Frankenmuth, Michigan), Fountain Street Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan), and First United Methodist Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan).
In addition to her work as a soloist, Karen Albert is also a member of Grand Rapids' premiere fully professional choral ensemble Vox GR. She has appeared as an ensemble member with Red Shift Choir of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and has been featured as a young artist with the Pine Mountain Music Festival. She received training in choral singing from the Seraphic Fire Professional Choral Institute at the prestigious Aspen Music Festival in Aspen, Colorado.
Recent opera and musical theater credits include the role of Queen Priss in The Balachian Prince (workshop recording), Katisha in The Mikado (CMU Opera Theater), Mrs. McClean in Susannah (West Michigan Opera Project), Carmen from Georges Bizet's Carmen in an opera scenes collage (Operaret), Cio Cio San’s Mother in Madama Butterfly (Soo Opera), The Sandman in Engelbert Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel (Comic Opera Guild), and June in a recorded version of Victor Herbert’s The Girl in the Spotlight (Comic Opera Guild). Karen Albert has also performed as a chorus member for various opera productions with Opera Grand Rapids, Pine Mountain Music Festival, and MSU Opera Theater.
As a musicologist, Karen Albert has given paper presentations on French-Canadian folk song literature at conferences in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Chicago, Illinois. She has also presented lecture recitals on various topics, including theological interpretations of J.S. Bach's oratorio arias and the parallels between ancient and modern vocal literature.
Karen Albert has been a staff singer with Ascension Lutheran Church in East Lansing, Michigan (2016-2017); historic Park Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan (September 2018-September 2022), and with the Diocese of Grand Rapids. She has taught music history and vocal courses at Cornerstone University (September 2019-May 2021) and Alma College (February-May 2021). She has also taught voice students at both the Michigan State University (September 2015-May 2017); Central Michigan University Community Music Schools (September 2017-May 2019); and Director of School Engagement at Opera On Tap in New York City (August 2022-January 2024). Currently, she is Music Director at Parkwood Presbyterian Church in Jenison, Michigan (since September 2022).
Upcoming engagements for the 2024 season include concerts with Vox GR as well as alto soloist in G.F. Handel’s Messiah with Holland Chorale, alto soloist in J.S. Bach's Cantata Wo gehest du hin? BWV 166 with Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids (May 2024), and Libby Larsen's Raspberry Island Dreaming with the Dexter Community Orchestra. She currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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