About Us

Director Bio

Karin Tauscher has had a life-long passion for music. Early in life she began studying voice, piano, guitar, and musical theater. She first heard a marimba band in 1989, and was instantly convinced that she needed to learn how to play!  It took 6 years to find a group and a teacher, but she began studying the instrument in 1995, fell in love with the music, and has been playing ever since. Karin began teaching this unique style of music in 1998. She has taught marimba to children, youth and adults in a wide array of classes at arts centers, in the public school system, through Columbia Gorge Arts in Education, as well as in her own studio. Karin teaches all classes offered at Musango Center. She also performs with Marimba Musango and has been a member of the Portland band, Boka Marimba, since 2005. She enjoys hosting African musicians in her home, often several times each year, both to further her own studies, and to provide her students with unique and enriching opportunities to study the music and culture of southeast Africa from first-hand sources.

In addition, she holds a M.A. in Counseling Psychology, specializing in children and youth. She has worked as a mental health counselor and parent educator, as well as a music teacher for children, youth, and adults.