Born in Dallas to the parents of Jim and Patsy Sutton, Karen started Ballet and Tap at the age of 2. By the age of 4 she began Highland Dance. Her instructor for all three was Mrs. Jean Forbes, who recently passed away. Karen had the honor to dance with Mrs. Forbes for 16 years, the last several years training to become a teacher.

In her years of dancing she enjoyed performing all over the DFW-area. She spent several years competing in Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Kansas. She also had the joy of competing twice at the Canadian Expo in Toronto, as well as Edinburgh and Inverness in Scotland. She stopped competing in 1989.

Workshops were also a great experience for Karen, which she enjoyed with Saddie Simpson, J.L. Mackenzie, and Mrs. Strathern to name a few.

Karen is married and has 4 wonderful children, Ryan, Shawna, Bailey, and Meagan. They have homeschooled the oldest 3, and intend to homeschool the youngest.

The pipes kept calling though, eventually she just couldn't resist her love of dance, pipes, and teaching any longer. She started teaching a group of home school students in the Kingwood area in 1996. While teaching Karen studied and passed her teaching exams to become a professional, certified, Highland Dance instructor.

Teaching Highland Dance is a great joy in Karen's life, she is incredibly happy to spread the love of Highland Dancing.