Karin McGarry

Karin McGarry’s interest in music began on her grandfather’s lap learning chopsticks on the piano. Her official education began at age seven when she started 10 years of piano lessons with Eleanor Denmead. She began cello lessons at 11 so that she would have more opportunities to perform in a group. Her studies continued through college and a few years beyond but then
stopped for 15 years as work, family and a master’s degree consumed her time. A persistent yearning for that missing piece of her life and the advice of a friend sparked Karin to pick up the cello again and join an orchestra. Enter the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey (PSNJ), the resumption of lessons and the founding of Brava! Strings.

Karin has studied under Mary Eleanor Brace Pitcairn, faculty at the New School of Music in Philadelphia, Marcie DeCou at Glassboro State College (Rowan University) and currently with David Szepessy of Swarthmore. She was a member of the All South Jersey Orchestra and the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra in her high school years. As an adult she has performed with the Orchestra Society of Greater Philadelphia, Musical Interludes and Brava! Strings.

A somewhat reticent student in her early years, Karin now thrives on the emotional release her instrument provides. When presenting the PSNJ outreach program to area school children she encourages them to “pick up an instrument or use your voice in song. It is a gift you will never lose – use it to express yourselves and have fun with it.”

She credits her mother for enforcing the practice sessions, both
parents for providing her with a wonderful instrument, all her teachers -- especially David with his nurturing spirit and demanding expectations -- and the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey for providing the opportunity to play a variety of great works with exceptional musicians. Karin is grateful to her husband, Frank, for his endless support and patience and to their children who still enjoy coming to hear her play.