Karen is creative director of both Garsington Opera Learning and Participation and Garsington Opera4All, and was co-artistic director of the Royal Opera House's Youth Opera Company (YOC) for 9 years. She leads workshops and projects for Garsington Opera, London Symphony Orchestra, The Royal Opera House, Abu Dhabi Festival, VA Museum London, Rosetta Life, Wycombe Women's Aid, National Spinal Injuries Centre, Schools and University's, RESEO and BBC Arts.
She has recently directed: SILVER BIRCH (a peoples opera by Roxanna Panufnik which will premiered at Garsington in July 2017) and A TRIP TO THE MOON by Andrew Norman, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle at LSO The Barbican, HOSPITAL PASSION PLAY (Victoria and Albert Museum) CONTAGION (a devised massed choral piece in collaboration with University of York) THE WATCHERS IN THE WINGS (a film by John Barber for the Royal Opera House), THE HOGBOON (by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle at LSO The Barbican), BEAUTIFUL WORLD (a devised opera for Abu Dhabi festival), MAGNA CARTA - THE FREEDOM GAME (a community opera for Surrey Arts at the Royal Albert Hall); OUT OF THE RUINS (Royal Opera House - A Gala Celebration); THE CRACKLE (as associate director - Royal Opera House Linbury); ROADRAGE (a Community Opera by Orlando Gough and Richard Stilgoe, Garsington Opera); THE MAGIC FLUTE (Garsington Opera at West Green); Opening Ceremony for WorldSkills 2011 (O2 Arena London); BEACHED (by Harvey Brough & Lea Hall, Opera North); OUTFOXED (at the RFH Southwark Splash); GONE FISHING (devised in collaboration with Suzi Zumpe for the YOC ROH Linbury); ON OFF and WHEN I AM OLD (Tête à Tête & Glyndebourne Jerwood Space); ON THE RIM OF THE WORLD (by Orlando Gough Royal Opera House & Welsh National Opera); FOTO-ME (by Dom Harlan Tête à Tête festival); THE LAST GENIE (by John Barber ROH Linbury); DEMON JUICE (by John Browne Stratford Circus & ROH Clore); TWENTY WOMEN SINGING (a tour of women's prisons, Welsh National Opera); CHORUS! (with David Poutney movement director and revival director, Welsh National Opera); SOUTH OF THE RIVER (a community opera English National Opera).
The Hogboon (LSO)
Gone Fishing
Out of the Ruins