Karen Atria, bassoonist, joined the Denison faculty in Fall 2010 and is a new resident of Columbus, OH. Previously, she served on the music faculty at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. From 2002-2004 Karen was the Assistant Director of Education and Community Engagement with the Pittsburgh Symphony. Karen has extensive performing experience, including orchestras and chamber music ensembles throughout Western Pennsylvania, the Denver Ballet, Boulder (CO) Philharmonic ,Colorado Sinfonia, and twice won concerto appearances with the University of Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Her newest creative research involves using technology to facilitate real-time rehearsals over the internet with duo partner/oboist Dr. Christa Garvey, Associate Professor of Oboe, Theory and Chamber Music at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Karen earned her Doctor of Musical Arts In Bassoon Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder, received a Master of Music Degree from the same institution, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

In addition to serving on the faculties at Denison and Otterbein Universities, Karen is the Orchestra Manager for the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.