Karen Allendoerfer

I work as a science educator and writer in the SF Bay area. I have lived here for >3 years and have played violin and viola here with a number of different groups: violin and principal viola with the Nova Vista Symphony, viola with the South Bay Philharmonic, and violin with the Silicon Valley Philharmonic.

My personal blog, "A Thousand Finds," can be found here.

Email: k.l.allendoerfer.author at gmail.com

I have a teenage son who plays the cello in the San Jose Youth Chamber Orchestra.My college-age daughter started violin in public school in 3rd grade after a mixed Suzuki experience. In high school she played the violin, viola, ukulele, and bassoon at different times.

Bio

I started playing the violin when I was 7, in a public school program. I played violin throughout school and 2 years in college. I also studied violin for a school year in (then West) Berlin, Germany, at the Leo-Borchard-Musikschule.

I was a member of the Williamsville District Orchestra and the Greater Buffalo Youth Orchestra, in high school.

Afterwards, I played with the Princeton University Orchestra in college, and the Caltech-Occidental Symphony Orchestra as a postdoc.

I had two major breaks from playing violin, both lasting about 7 years, one to get a PhD in Neuroscience and one to have kids. I started playing violin again about 10 years ago, and have added viola. I am drawn to the sound and inner voice role of the viola and hope to become more proficient in that instrument.

From violinist.com blog

When I lived in the Boston area, I played with the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra from 2007-2015. I was the concertmaster for 7 years and I occasionally played viola with that group as well. I played chamber music with friends from the APO at local markets, and I often played for church services at First Parish Watertown, Unitarian-Universalist.

Blog Posts

2020: Apr. Jun. Dec.

2019: Feb. Apr.

2018: Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Aug. Oct. Nov.

2017: May Aug. Dec.

2016: Mar. Apr. May Dec.

2015: Jan. Feb. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Sep. Oct.

2014: Jan. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Sep. Nov.

2013: Feb. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Nov. Dec.

2012: Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2011: Jan. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Nov. Dec.

2010: Jan. Feb. Mar. May Jun. Jul. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2009: Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2008: Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2007: Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.

2006: Oct. Nov. Dec.