Celebrating Mom Karen Briggs

Honoring extraordinary Mothers is our goal in this May issue of Image & Style. I present to our readers the most remarkable, fascinating, talented, Mommy/Violinist I have ever encountered; Meet my featured artist for the month of May, Ms. Karen Briggs! Karen is the Mom of two beautiful daughters who keeps her life off the road extremely busy. In between Dr. appointments, sports, school, and daily household chores, Karen manages to have a very successful music career.

Known as the “Lady in Red” from her touring days with International artist Yanni, she is also known as the Queen of the Violin amongst her fellow musicians. Watching and hearing her play is an amazing experience, the depth of her connection with the violin is unlike any other I have seen. The passion and melodic energy that soars from her is simply spectacular.

Image And Style Magazine is proud to salute Ms. Karen Briggs for being and extraordinary Mom!

I&S: If all individuals possess the ability to teach others something, what has your daughters taught you?

KB: If all individuals possess the ability to teach others something, my daughters have taught me that it is an honor to be a parent and that there is so much more to life than just being a musician. When children start learning to speak and to express themselves, I have had the pleasure of observing the profound and raw innocence of how they see the world around them, before the corruption of the world gradually starts to seep in.

I&S: I am sure you would support your girls in whatever they would like to do in life, however would you like for them to follow in your career footpath?

KB: I would definitely feel honored if they did follow in my career footpath, but at the same time, I am very clear that this type of lifestyle is not for everyone and my children’s individuality is more important and based upon the gifts God bestows upon them.

I&S: What support system have you constructed to help you balance motherhood & your professional career?

KB: I believe that when something is in divine order, God sends angels! I have always had a God-given network of cherished and supportive sister-friends throughout my life who have been there through everything with me. We have been there for each other. I love all of them and feel blessed that they just want to see me carry out my work as a musician, which as most know, comes with frequent travel. I don’t really have words to express the appreciation I feel for this exchange. I live on the west coast and along with the help my immediate family, who are mostly on the east coast; I have somehow maintained a balance between my career and my work as a musician.

I&S: You are rightfully referred to as the fiddling Mommy, and the lady in red in a male dominated industry, have you experienced much push back from industry associates as you successfully juggle motherhood and stardom?

KB: Of course, I have had some push back from some industry associates over the years, which is often how I became fully aware that I must be doing something right. Professional envy/jealousy have come about and maybe some off-putting attitudes. I have at times even felt the need to compromise my femininity as a tool, to gain the respect that I wanted as a musician or to distract from the fact that I am a ‘girl’. I feel that most women have some familiarity with this aspect. There was a time when I assumed that some of my male colleagues were actually protective of me when I’d travel and perform only to realize that this was not the case at all. In only a few occasions, it really hurt me, but I can honestly say that for the majority of my life, the men I have worked with have been wonderful colleagues and gentlemen. Even at times, like when I was pregnant with my girls and still performing, I was treated with honor and respect and I loved them for it. I have felt honored to be invited to participate with the men I’ve worked with, in exchanging musical knowledge and ideas…Often as the only woman in the band. I can name so many that I have learned so much from over the years.

I&S: You have a teenager and recently blessed with a baby, how does it feel to start all over again?

KB: Oh boy! This time? I feel that I have the experience and the knowledge from raising the teenager to help with the second child. I don’t have many of the first-time-mother fears that came with the initial experience and for that, I am grateful.

I&S: You are stunningly attractive and publicly visible. How do you balance your professional, personal and mothering worlds?
Thank you! Often times when People ask me how I am, I answer half-jokingly that I am “juggling like a clown at a three ring circus”…lol. It can be challenging and hectic, but each time I am able to pull it off I feel accomplished.
7. Musically, what’s going on in the world of KB?
This is a very exciting time in my world, because I am working on my fourth release, which will be finished hopefully by August. I am currently collaborating with famed Composer, Arranger/Conductor, Shardad Rohani. Many may recall his being the conductor in the “Live at the Acropolis” DVD.
8. Please provide every way to contact, follow, links, keep updated, purchase product, with and from Karen Briggs

My current CD Soulchestral Groove can be purchased at www.cdbaby.com or at my live performances. The newest one will also be available at cd baby. Write me on Facebook! Email: fiddlersdream@mac.com. My power press kit can be seen at:
http://www.powerpresskits.com/PPKs/indexC.aspx?PPK=4337

Thank you and Happy Mother’s Day!