Karen Farnum Surmani (1960- )

Karen Farnum Surmani taught elementary music for several years in the Los Angeles Unified School District. She had a very successful program as an itinerant vocal and general elementary music teacher at LAUSD, teaching pre-kindergarten through 6th grade classes at multiple schools. Karen has extensive training in early childhood music teaching and has also taught middle school and at the University of Southern California. An accomplished classical vocalist, Karen has performed in venues around the world and continues to sing professionally. She is also a private voice teacher who has taught many talented students.

Karen is the Early Childhood and Vocal Masterworks editor for Alfred Publishing, and is the author of Teach Yourself to Sing Book, CD, and CD-ROM. She is co-author of Rock Singing Techniques Book, CD; Essentials of Music Theory Book, CD, CD-ROM; Sing at First Sight ; and Classroom Music for Little Mozarts .

An Orff certified music teacher, Karen is a member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Music Educators National Conference, the Organization of American Kodaly Educators, Early Childhood Music and Movement Association, National Association for the Education of Young Children, and is a licensed Kindermusik educator.

Karen received a Bachelor of Music degree and a K-12 music teaching credential from California State University, Northridge. She has also earned a Masters in Music Education degree from the University of Southern California. Karen resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Andrew, and their two sons.