Karen Johnson started music lessons at age 8. She studied piano, accordion and guitar and taught guitar at Rex Music in South St. Paul when she was a junior in high school. She taught 50 students a week while in high school and college. Karen attended the University of Minnesota for three years, then transferred to Elmhurst College in Illinois where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education and was immediately hired to teach third grade in Glendale Heights, IL. After moving back to Minnesota and starting a family, Karen decided in 1986 to get back to her first love…teaching private music lessons. She became a member of the Apple Valley Music Teachers’ Association in 1987 and served as its president from 1990-92, again in 1997-98 and once more from 2002-04. She also enjoyed being a member of a very fun group, the Rex Accordion Club. The group performed annually for Christmas in South St. Paul for over 20 years and performed at the Science Museum, the Stone Arch Festival, many Oktoberfests, weddings and anniversaries. Karen believes strongly in building self-esteem in her students, using patience and humor to overcome obstacles. She cherishes every day she gets to be a teacher, and has been teaching piano and guitar at Heartbeat since 1998. For more information, call Karen directly at 612-483-3339.