Karen Power is an Irish composer, educator, improviser and academic who writes primarily for acoustic and electroacoustic forces.

In 2009 she completed a PhD in acoustic and electroacoustic composition at SARC (Sonic Arts Research Centre), Belfast, with Prof. Michael Alcorn. Throughout her PhD, Karen’s works focused on the commonalities and individualities of both acoustic and electroacoustic composition aiming to develop a more integrated language, which acknowledges and utilizes such strengths.

Recently Karen has spent time in residency at The Banff Centre, Canada, The Guesthouse, Ireland and was a composer fellow at UCDavis, California, USA. Karen has written pieces for Alarm Will Sound, SCAW, Carin Levine, the Ulster Orchestra, RTE Symphony Orchestra, Kate Ellis, Mmm Trio and Quiet Music Ensemble. She has been awarded national and international awards and honorary mentions for her work and has represented Ireland internationally on a number of occasions. Most recently; 2011 Ruth Anderson Prize, which will enable the creation of a quadraphonic sound installation comprising of multiple soundscapes from 5 locations across the globe in 2012. Karen’s compositional interests are constantly shifting, transforming and re-shaping, with recent projects including; a new piece for orchestra and live electronics, which was premiered by Ireland’s National Symphony Orchestra in a concert which featured and was curated by Karen, a sound and movement collaborative work with Mary Nunan and installation work.

Karen is an active improviser, who specializes in using environmental and everyday sounds as catalysts for constructing new soundworlds, which also feeds in to her educational work with children and adults.

In her education work she is specifically interested in creating new music and sounds with children through active workshops, which allow children to explore, create and perform their own compositions. Children are intuitively open and my aim as an artistic educator is to introduce new sounds, musical experiences and draw out creative impulses in my work. Much of Karen’s work in this area includes the use of improvisation, an awareness of our natural soundscape and the creation of alternative natural instruments as performance tools.

2012/13 will also see Karen’s first CD release by Farpoint Recordings, which will showcase her work in acoustic, electroacoustic and improvised music. For more visit: www.karenpower.ie

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