Karina's passion for music began when she started taking piano lessons at the age of 5. Since then she has been playing in orchestras, symphonies, concerto competitions, community service events, churches, and chamber music groups all over the US. 

 

Originally from California, Karina was a member of the Community Youth Orchestra of Southern California from 2017 - 2020 and performed as Principal Second, as well as serving as a string coach for younger students. She also played in the California Solisti, an ensemble of professional music teachers, accompanying 27 soloists in the summer of 2019. In 2021, Karina attended the Csehy Summer School of Music, where she was accepted into the chamber music program, orchestra, and choir. She also attended multiple chamber music events, including the St. Margaret's Summer Music Festival, chamber music readings, and the Sunset Quartet in Southern CA. Since moving to the Black Hills of South Dakota, Karina has been an active member of the Black Hills Symphony, the Dakota Chamber Orchestra at Black Hills State University, and the SD School of Mines orchestra, as well as an import violinist for the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, and the Powder River Symphony Orchestra.

 

Karina has won a wide variety of musical competitions, in addition to performing and teaching privately. In 2022, Karina won first place in the BHSO Young Artist competition and performed as the guest artist with the Black Hills Symphony in March. Later that year, she won the Dakota Chamber Orchestra concerto competition and was invited to perform as the featured soloist with the orchestra for the fall concert. In November of 2022 and November of 2023, Karina won first place in the Music Teachers National Association Senior and Young Artist String Performance competitions, and advanced as a Division Finalist to the next stage of competitions. In 2023, Karina won the first stage of the National Glenn Miller Music Competition, and advanced as a Finalist to the final round of the competition in June 2023, then going on to win first place in the final round of the competition. 

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Karina offers violin, piano, and cello lessons to students ages 5 and up. She loves working with kids, and teaches from her beautiful music studio in Piedmont, South Dakota.