Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Karen received a voice performance scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, eventually changing her major, and earning a BA degree in Theater and Film.

After graduation, she spent several years as a producer, reporter and eventually a host for a national tv show on TNN, but ultimately returned to her first love, performing. Karen resumed working in regional theater, singing in various concerts (including a performance on the stage of the famed Grand Ole Opry) and even spent a season as a dance team member for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, before deciding to move to New York.

Soon after arriving in the big city, she was hired on the spot to cover the two leading roles in the First National Tour of the award-winning musical Crazy For You. She eventually took over the role of "Irene", and shortly thereafter, moved into the Broadway cast for the show's final season.

Over the years, Karen's credits have included Broadway, Off-Broadway, National Tours, Regional Theater, Episodic Television ("Sex & The City," "Third Watch," "Law & Order," etc...) a sitcom pilot, workshops, readings, fund-raisers, concerts, industrials, and numerous national on-camera commercials and voice-overs.