Karen Palmer received a Bachelor degree in Music Education from Pacific Union College and a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from the University of Redlands.

Mrs. Palmer has served as first violinist with the University of Redlands School of Music Orchestra and as a sectional instructor.  She as performed with Opera Pacific, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, Riverside County Philharmonic, and with the Neumark Ensemble.  She has experienced great sessions and performances under Maestros Jon Robertson, John DeMain, John Williams, Dennis De Coteau, Leonard Bernstein, Leonard Slakin, David Romadonoff, Harold Farberman, and Stephen Tucker.  For three years, Mrs. Palmer conducted and directed the University of Redlands School of Music Civic Orchestra and Summer Music Camp Orchestra.

Since 1993, Mrs. Palmer has been Director and Conductor of the Community School of Music and the Arts' Youth Ensemble of Strings (YES).  In 1996 she founded the Virtuosi in Progress (VIP), and in 1999, the Youth Symphony Orchestra.  In addition, she founded the CSMA Summer Workshops and for the past seven years has Directed and Conducted the Youth Symphony Orchestra in the annual University of Redlands CSMA Summer Workshop for Youth Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Band, Chamber Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion held in July.  Furthermore, Mrs. Palmer's appointment at the Claremont Community School of Music included Directing and Conducting two string ensembles (Prelude and Attacca) and violin instruction.  This year she was invited by the San Bernardino County Music Educators Association to Guest Conduct the high school Honor Orchestra at the University of Redlands.

Currently, Mrs. Palmer is the Concert and Scheduling Coordinator for the University of Redlands School of Music and an Artist Teacher member teaching Violin and String Instrument Techniques.  She is also a tenured first violinist with the Redlands Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Pacific West String Quartet.  Mrs. Palmer regularly appears in solo and School of Music faculty chamber music recitals, and has served as Concertmaster for the RSO summer performances throughout Southern California.