karen kopecki
mm, athletic bands – Teaching Assistant
Karen Kopecki is currently a Master of Music Education + Licensure student and graduate Teaching Assistant for the Marching Illini at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
A bass clarinetist by training, Karen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2024. During her undergraduate studies, Karen played in the Hindsley Symphonic Band, University Band, Hoops Band, was a guest soloist for the Illinois Philharmonia Orchestra, and marched as a member of the Marching Illini Tenor Saxophone section for three years.
Karen has studied under Ken Novotny and is an accomplished clarinet private lesson teacher in the Chicago suburb area, teaching students in both English and Japanese. In her free time, she enjoys drinking matcha and playing with her two cats, Oatmeal and Skippyjon Jones.