Meet Karen Edge

Mrs. Karen Edge directs the Trinity Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble. You can find her leading rehearsals before or after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays, filing music or taking instruments to the repair shop. She and her husband, Chris, are the parents of three River Ridge alumni.

Karen was asked about how long she’s been directing Trinity students and she shared the following: “It all started back in 2001 at a school registration day. One of the parents, Natalie Guyn, was helping Ruth Gaylord, the music teacher, make a list of students who played instruments. I remember saying to Natalie, “My son plays sax and I have a degree in music education. I’d be willing to put a small group together to play Christmas carols.” “Oh!” she replied, in her beautiful British accent, “You’re the answer to my prayer.”

In December of 2001,10 or 12 students played Christmas carols in a corner of the tiny gym at Trinity’s Bloomington location. The next semester they wanted to continue making music together. My son and I found jazz music that was arranged for 12 students… but jazz at Trinity?? “Go for it,” Mrs. Gaylord said. The next year with help from another parent, Mrs. Mary Helen O’Hare, we began to expand the group and the Wind Ensemble was born.”