Karen Mueller is one of the top autoharp and mountain dulcimer players today. Her exciting and innovative performing style, featuring Appalachian, Celtic and contemporary music, has been applauded by critics and audiences from LA to Boston. Bluegrass Unlimited magazine has said "Karen Mueller's touch, timing and taste make her a true virtuoso. Her talent and clarity ... deserve a wide audience." Karen won the 1986 International Autoharp Championship and was a National Dulcimer finalist in 1985, both at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, KS. A native of Winfield, she first attended the festival while in high school and was inspired to learn to play the autoharp and dulcimer by the performers she saw there.

Karen has made her mark on the acoustic music scene as both an interpreter of tradition and an innovator, performing with such legendary artists as Liz Carroll (all-Ireland fiddle champion) and Tony Trischka (banjo master). She has recorded three critically acclaimed solo CDs: Clarity, Still Point and Autoharp Gourmet, and is featured on the Masters of the Mountain Dulcimer II and Autoharp Legacy CDs. Karen is also the author of Mel Bay Publishing's Celtic Autoharp book and contributor to their Dulcimer 2000 anthology.

While touring extensively as a soloist, she also currently works in the band of Katie McMahon, original lead singer of Riverdance. Karen is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist; besides autoharp and dulcimer, she plays guitar, mandolin, Irish bouzouki and bass dulcimer. In 2000, the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Association awarded Karen its “Recognition of Excellence.” She has also been an official showcase artist at the North American Folk Alliance Conference.

Based in Minneapolis, Karen is in demand as a performer, studio musician, school residency artist and instructor. She gives private lessons in the Twin Cities to around 50 students of all ages and levels at West Bank School of Music and Homestead Pickin’ Parlor. Karen is also on the rosters of Young Audiences of Minnesota and the State Arts Board’s Folk Arts Directory.