Karen Wells is thrilled to return to making music under the redwoods of La Honda! She has just completed her 30th year as director of the Bands and Orchestras at Berkeley High School. In addition, she teaches International Baccalaureate Music and AP Music Theory. Then she switches gear to teach younger musicians in Berkeley Unified elementary schools.

            Karen has helped guide new music teachers both in the Berkeley schools, as a Beginning Teacher Support Advocate (BTSA) and at St. Mary’s College. For fifteen years, she has been associated with the Mills Teachers Scholars, and has led the professional development for district music teachers through this program. One of her greatest joys is counting her many former students as current colleagues. 

An active performer, Karen received her Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of Richmond (VA), playing with the Richmond Symphony throughout her undergrad years. She received her Master’s in Clarinet Performance from Ithaca College and holds a Licentiate from the Royal School of Music, London. Her playing credits include many Northern California Orchestras, most recently, the Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera, and the Santa Cruz Symphony,

Ms. Wells is a member of the California Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education and the California Band Directors Association. In 2020, she was the recipient of the Gilbert T. Freitas Annual Memorial Award (For Achievement in Music Education) which is presented by CMEA Bay Section.