Karen Winkelmann
Karen Winkelmann, founder of First String, is a recognized musician whose broad range of experience has exposed her to a diversity of styles. Karen has played on hundreds of recordings, ranging from Faith Hill and Matchbox 20 to classical, and everything in between. In addition to her studio work, Karen was a member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra for 6 years and is currently Principal Second Violin of Orchestra Nashville (formerly the Nashville Chamber Orchestra), which specializes not only in the traditional canon of Classical music, but also in commissioning works that cross musical boundaries. With Orchestra Nashville, Karen has made recordings for Naxos, Angel, Alabaster and Warner Bros, and has performed over 30 world premieres, working with such artists as the Turtle Island String Quartet, John Jorgenson & most recently, Trey Anastasio of the band Phish.
A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, Karen grew up in London steeped in the Classical and Early Music traditions, both as a violinist and as a recorder player. While still in England she had several pieces written for her and performed as a soloist twice in The Queen Elizabeth Hall in London’s Southbank Centre as well as in the Royal Albert Hall.
Moving to Nashville exposed Karen to a whole new sound world and approach to music, and it is the combination of the two worlds that inform her perspective. First String was born out of Karen’s unique outlook and her ability to bring a specialized approach to every project.
Karen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music and Linguistics and Masters Degree in Music from Indiana University.