Karen Poleshuck is a New York City teacher, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral musician. As a performer she loves to seek out new ways to break down the barriers between audiences and musicians by playing in unconventional venues and creating an interactive experience for all involved. Karen has performed in and collaborated on many educational outreach performances throughout the US, including The New York Philharmonic’s Very Young People’s Concert Series, and regularly subs on Broadway. Music festival appearances include The Aspen Music Festival and School, The National Repertory Orchestra, The International Festival-Institute at Round Top, and Encore School for Strings.
Karen holds a Masters Degree in Music Education from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, a Bachelor’s in Cello Performance from The Cleveland Institute of Music, and a Master’s in Cello Performance from SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music. As a registered Suzuki teacher Karen is passionately committed to the transformative power of learning an instrument. She has been teaching cello for the past 20 years both privately and in schools throughout the tri-state area, and currently has an in-home studio in Washington Heights, and is on faculty at Mannes Prep, Silver Music, and The Allen-Stevenson School.
When Karen is not with her cello, she can be found meditating in community at NYI or swimming in the ocean.