Manoa’s Meritorious Teachers

Karen Kennedy
Department of Music

Karen Kennedy is an assistant professor in the Department of Music. Karen Kennedy’s chosen area of expertise is the study, performance and perpetuation of choral arts. When she arrived at UH, the choral program had very low enrollment, and now the three choirs she directs are flourishing at capacity.

Kennedy challenges her students with her STRIVE theory—sense the surroundings and energy in the room, try to leave inhibitions at the door, receive and open you mind to suggestions, innovate and assimilate suggestions from colleagues, value your contributions and enjoy and find joy in the learning process.

While teaching at the university, Kennedy has been exposed to the music styles of Hawai‘i, the Pacific Islands, Asia and beyond. She fosters knowledge of the vocal apparatus and imparts that knowledge to students, many of whom will become vocal music educators. Kennedy serves as an adjudicator and clinician of choral performances and has been invited to conduct in various venues, from Stanford University to Stockholm. She will make her Carnegie Hall debut in the fall 2003.