Karen Owen, PhD

Karen discovered her passion in music relatively late in life. After years of being told she'd never master music, Karen picked up the alto saxophone at an age when most people are perfecting their retirement golf swing. Her elementary school music teacher would be shocked to see her now - proving that it's never too late to start a musical rebellion.  She is a believer in musical inclusivity and diversity, and as Treasurer, manages the finances of the North Pinellas Community Band. In her prior life she received her PhD in Geographic Information Science and worked for several DC-area corporations both large and small throughout her career. She’s been playing with the North Pinellas Community Band since its inception and is proud of her growth and the band’s expansion under the current Conductor. She has served on the Board of the Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center, the League of Women Voters, and has directed the Outreach program at Holy Trinity Episcopal  Church  where she currently sings Tenor with the guys in the choir and plays the occasional solo on her horn. She also runs the annual backpack program for all children at a disadvantaged elementary school in Clearwater. As Treasurer of the band, she hopes you’ll read this and send some funds or talents our way, since keeping a nonprofit organization afloat without salaries or staff requires good people like you to contribute! She dabbles in gardening & home improvements and has 3 adorable grandkids that she likes to dress up like pirates.