Karen Kloster joined the Marlboro Music family in 1987 as Head Stage Manager and then transitioned to Operations Director. She works directly with the Potash Hill staff for the annual transition of the facilities to Marlboro Music. She oversees the piano deliveries from Steinway and housing preparation for musicians and staff and coordinates the arrivals of musicians.
Karen trains the summer staff each season as they set up houses, cabins, cottages, dorms, and rental houses for the musicians’ arrival. During the summer, the operations crew prepares for rehearsals, special events, orchestra readings, picnics, square dances, and five weekends of concerts. In addition she coordinates ground transportation from airports for musicians and staff to and from Marlboro.
Karen manages the logistics for three east coast Musicians from Marlboro tours and one national tour each season. During the non-summer months, Karen also works with the Potash Hill staff to improve the campus and works with managing director Brian Mooney to find renters for the campus.
She has a degree in mathematics from the College of William and Mary. For 17 years, she toured with symphony orchestras and opera companies with Columbia Artists and now does the behind-the-scenes preparations and logistics for a few orchestra tours with Sheldon Artists.
Karen lives in Vermont with her partner, Butch Kaeppel of Butch’s Moving and Storage. Butch has moved all of Marlboro’s pianos for over 40 years.