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Community Corner

Karen Mueller to perform at Richfield Historical Society

Karen Mueller is readily thought of as an Autoharp and
Appalachian dulcimer player, and not without cause.  She was a finalist in the 1985 National
Dulcimer Championships
and she was crowned The International Autoharp Champion
in 1986.  Both contests were held at The
Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS
, her home town.  Growing up in Winfield gave Karen no
advantage in winning her titles as competitors gather each fall from all over

the world to vie for the coveted titles. 
However, It did give her ready access to the festival in her youth, and
it was when she saw the gathered talent performing and competing that she found
the inspiration to take her life in a musical direction. From there, the path
to her titles was paved with practice, practice, practice.

Her prodigious musical talent has not gone
unnoticed.  She was inducted into the
Autoharp Hall of Fame in 2006.  The
Minneapolis Star Tribune has said of Karen “In the hands of a few gifted
people, the Autoharp can swell into the sound of an orchestra.  Karen Mueller is one of those few”
Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine noted that “Karen Mueller’s touch, timing and taste make her a true virtuoso.  Her talent and clarity…deserve a wide
audience”
.  She was also a recipient of a
2012-13 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Performing Musicians. 

While continuing to develop her proficiency on Autoharp
and dulcimer, Karen has broadened her musical horizons considerably, adding
Guitar, Mandolin, Irish Bouzouki and Ukulele to her musical storehouse.  While she is home based in the twin cities,
Karen is sought after to appear at festivals throughout the country and has
performed in the UK as well.  She
performs regularly in concert with Katie McMahon, the original lead singer of
the Irish dance sensation, Riverdance
We are delighted to have Karen as a member of The Homestead Pickin’
Parlor teaching staff
where she is in residence two days a week. 

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Karen has authored three books.  One of them, Celtic Autoharp, was published
by Mel Bay Publications.  She has
recorded six solo recordings and has appeared on four highly regarded anthology recordings.  They are Masters of the
Mountain Dulcimer (2 Volumes), Autoharp Legacy
, and The Minnesota Fiddle Tunes
Project
.



It’s easy to see that Karen is a busy person.  Yet she finds time to conduct school
residencies, teaching students to build and play dulcimers and she, not

infrequently, leads senior citizens in group singing as well.  We are delighted to have her perform in this
second 2013 Back yard at the Bart concert

The performance is free and open to the public.  It will be held at The Bartholomew House,
Richfield’s oldest private residence located at 6901 Lyndale Ave S.  The performance begins at 7:00 pm andwill be
held rain or shineFamilies are
encouraged to attend
Bring a lawn chair
and join us
.  Refreshments will be available
and everyone in attendance will be thoroughly entertained..  

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And just in case you are not familiar with Karen or the
Autoharp, here’s how an International champion delivers a medley of Irish
tunes, “Blarney Pilgrim” and “Humours of Ennisymon”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbKApkQe2Jk 
More to come on July 17.  See you
there!

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