Karen Halliburton earned her Master's in Music (violin performance) from the University of Washington, where she studied violin with Ronald Patterson, and improvisation with Vern Sielert. In addition to playing in the University symphony, she also played in the Baroque Ensemble, the experimental ensemble under the direction of Marc Seales, and small jazz combos.

Karen began her violin studies in southern California with Sharon Holland. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BS in psychology and a minor in music. She is a private instructor and a freelance performer, and plays regularly with her pianist duo partner, focusing on both classical and Latin music.

In addition to the violin-piano duo, Karen plays early music with the UW Baroque Ensemble, and experimental electronic music on the violin and electric bass, with her husband, who is a drummer.

Karen believes that the ability to play violin or viola comes from a basic understanding of how the instrument and bow work as an extension of your body. In addition to this understanding, she feels that it is important to understand basic theory.

Karen teaches from the perspective that musicians should be able to sing what they want to play, and that the violin is not limited to playing the western classical repertoire. Most importantly, she wants her students to like their sound and love the music they are playing.