Biography
Karl Olsen (bass) began his musical studies in Suzuki Violin, in Wausau, Wisconsin. Mr. Olsen started double bass studies in 1991 with David Dunn at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. While earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree he also taught at the Wausau Conservatory of Music and freelanced with regional Big Bands.
Mr. Olsen then began orchestral studies in earnest, enrolling at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. While working with Professor Bruce Bransby at IU, Mr. Olsen continued his teaching both privately and as an IU Associate Instructor. Between 1996 and 2001 Mr. Olsen completed a Master of Music degree and began Doctoral studies. Mr. Olsen also performed regularly as Assistant Principal in the Evansville Philharmonic and Owensboro Symphony Orchestras, Principal Bass of the IU Philharmonic, New Music Ensemble and Baroque Orchestras, while earning fellowships and Principal positions at various Music Festivals, studying with Gary Karr and Stuart Sankey, and master classes with Paul Ellison, Lawrence Hurst, Murray Grodner, Edgar Meyer, Bertram Turetzky, Maximilian Dimoff and Albert Laszlo.
In September of 2001 Mr. Olsen joined the illustrious New World Symphony Orchestra, a fellowship training orchestra under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra.
On October 16th, 2001, Karl Olsen won a position in the Bass Section of the Louisville Orchestra. Since then Mr. Olsen has joined the faculty of the Indiana University Southeast Music Department, the IU Southeast Summer String Clinic, and the Bowling Green(KY) String Academy.
