VIOLA / VIOLIN
KAREN DE NARDI
a multi skilled, violist / violinist, composer, arranger, designer and artist.
VIOLA / VIOLIN
Karen De Nardi, a violist and violinist, has a travelled a vibrant path of freelancing and performing to audiences around the globe. Hailing from Adelaide, Australia, Karen's musical journey began with classical roots but has since flourished into a kaleidoscope of genres, spanning from jazz to folk, and everything in between.
With a dynamic live and recorded freelance performance career, Karen's versatility shines through in her ability to seamlessly transition between classical ensembles, bands, and contemporary settings. Her collaboration with touring acts showcases her adeptness at creative improvisation, enriching performances with her soulful interpretations.
Karen is violist for the avant-garde Pocket String Quartet, who create new, innovative works in a contemporary and jazz style with rhythm and groove at the fore. In addition to her quartet work, Karen embarks on exciting performance projects, notably with guitarist Mike Bevan, as the DeNardi Bevan Duo, they craft original compositions for violin and 7-string guitar, breathing new life into jazz standards, Brazilian tunes, and classical pieces showcasing their unique musical chemistry.
Karen's freelance career has taken her around the globe, including prestigious festivals such as WOMAD, Dark Mofo, Europafest, and the Adelaide Festival. Her eclectic portfolio includes collaborations with a diverse array of world music groups, including Trio da Kali (Mali), Tenzin Cheogal (Tibet) , Goanna, Hyoshi in Counterpoint (Asian fusion) , Sufi Oz (Pakistan) and San Ureshi (Asia)
Additionally, as co-director of the Southern Cross Symphony, Karen orchestrates musicians for tours and collaborates with esteemed artists like Russell Morris and Kate Ceberano, solidifying her influence in the Australian music scene.