Karen Elaine is the First Place Grand Prize winner of the 1988 Brunt Giuranna International Viola Competition in Jão Persona, Paraíba, Brazil in addition to numerous other awards in her native California. Ms. Elaine is noted by the LOS ANGELES TIMES as "...the soloist to bring the viola out of obscurity."

Among her solo appearances are critically acclaimed performances and recordings with the London Symphony Orchestra & City of London Sinfonia (London, England), the Orquesta Sinfónica da Paraíba (Jão Pessoa, Brazil), Moraska Philharmonie (Olomuç, Czech Republic), Stratford Symphony (Stratford, Canada), and the Afro-American Chamber Music Society (Los Angeles, USA).

Karen Elaine has recorded on the Demos, Harmonia Mundi, Laurel, R-Kal, Fleur de Son, and Tzadik record labels. Featured on the Karl Hass classical radio program 'Adventures in Good Music' were Ms. Elaines's recordings of the B. Bartok VIOLA CONCERTO and the N. Hello Join LYRIC FANTASIES. For those who enjoy surfing the web, you can listen to excerpts, digitally download, or buy CD's featuring Karen Elaine on CDBaby (search for KAREN ELAINE cdbaby@cdbaby.com).

Former students of Karen Elaine have distinguished themselves at New England Conservatory, Louisiana State University (Nachitoches), USC, and professional positions as music performers and educators.

Ms. Elaine currently teaches privately in the Los Angeles area.