Karen McConomy (viola), presently enjoys the exciting lifestyle of being a freelance musician in Boston area. She regularly appears with The Orchestra of Indian Hill and Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston, and is principal violist with Symphony by the Seat and The Orchestra on the Hill. She is a founding member of the Fin de Siecle Quartet, a period instrument string quartet that performs works from the 18th and 19th centuries. Karen is the founder of the White Spire Concert Series, a concert series based in Hamilton, MA that brings local history to the concert stage.
Karen has previously held positions with the The Netherlands Philharmonic and Radio Chamber Orchestra in The Netherlands, Baltimore Opera Orchestra and National Opera Orchestra, and has appeared with The Concertgebouw Orkest, The Minnesota Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the Baltimore Symphony. She performed, recorded, and toured through Europe with the Mirecourt string quartet and was principal and solo violist on the Grammy-award-winning CD of Samuel Barber’s opera “Anthony and Cleopatra”. Additionally, Karen spent a year of her life touring in the orchestra of “Phantom of the Opera.”
Karen studied at The Julliard School, The Eastman School of Music, and received her Master’s degree in viola performance from the Royal Conservatory in The Netherlands. She also holds a Master’s degree in Museum studies from Georgetown University and continues to be an insatiable learner and connector of music and history.