Karen Farnum Surmani

Karen Farnum Surmani is a third generation native Californian who spent her formative years living in locales all across the United States. She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, Northridge, and a Masters in Music Education degree from the University of Southern California. A strong proponent of early music education, Karen is a credentialed and Orff-certified music teacher who has also done extensive study in the Kodály method. She has many years of experience teaching elementary music in Los Angeles Unified and other southern California school districts. Karen currently teaches music education at California State University, Northridge. An accomplished classical vocalist who also sings jazz, Karen toured Europe with the acclaimed Columbia Jazz Band in 2016. She lives in southern California with her husband, sons, and two fun-loving dogs. Karen is the author of Teach Yourself to Sing and Singing 101, and is a co-author of Rock Singing Techniques, and the series Alfred’s Essentials of Music Theory, Sing at First Sight, and Classroom Music for Little Mozarts.