Karl Olsen

Karl Olsen (bass) began his musical studies in Suzuki Violin. He received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, studying with David Dunn, and his Master of Music degree in Double Bass Performance from Indiana University, studying with Bruce Bransby. Mr. Olsen also counts as invaluable his study with the pedagogues Gary Karr and Stuart Sankey, and with Stanley Ritchie’s Baroque Orchestra.

The Louisville Orchestra first brought Mr. Olsen to Kentucky in 2001, direct from the New World Symphony Orchestra, a fellowship intensive orchestra under the baton of Michael Tilson-Thomas, Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. As a member of the Louisville Orchestra bass section, Mr. Olsen began performing and teaching throughout the area, working with bassists of all ages through lessons and coachings. Karl is the Instructor of Double Bass at both Indiana University Southeast and Bellarmine University.

Mr. Olsen also serves as Principal Bass at Orchestra Kentucky Bowling Green, and has performed with the Cincinnati Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and New Mexico Philharmonic Orchestras, with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra, the Artosphere Festival Orchestra, and as Assistant Principal Bass for both the Evansville Philharmonic and Owensboro Symphony Orchestras.