19 Facts About Karen Tuttle

Karen Tuttle was an American violist and pedagogue, well known for her teaching system that she called coordination.

Karen Tuttle began performing on violin at the age of sixteen before switching to viola in 1941.

Karen Tuttle studied with Jean Heers, Karel Havlicek, and Henri Temianka, and actively toured the West Coast as a teen.

In 1941, Karen Tuttle heard violist William Primrose play in Los Angeles with the London String Quartet.

Karen Tuttle was so impressed with his relaxed way of playing that she immediately asked him for lessons.

Primrose often sent students with technical problems to Karen Tuttle for help, because she could better articulate what they needed to create beautiful sound.

Karen Tuttle graduated in 1948, and when Primrose left Curtis in 1951, Tuttle became the head of the viola and chamber music departments.

Karen Tuttle taught at the Curtis Institute of Music until 1955.

Karen Tuttle frequently participated in the Marlboro Music Festival in Vermont.

Karen Tuttle made her Carnegie Hall recital debut in February 1960.

Karen Tuttle's recital was reviewed by Harold Schonberg, a leading reviewer for The New York Times.

Karen Tuttle first married at age 18, and divorced before meeting William Primrose in 1941.

Karen Tuttle remained with him for the rest of her life.

Karen Tuttle died on December 16,2010, in Philadelphia from complications of Alzheimer's.

In 1994, Karen Tuttle was recognized by ASTA with the Artist Teacher Award.

Karen Tuttle received honorary doctorate degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music in 2005 and the New England Conservatory in 2010.

Karen Tuttle's technique focuses on coordinating a musician's physical and emotional awareness to create a beautiful sound.

Karen Tuttle's method focuses on tensionless playing and is adaptable for each individual student's needs.

Karen Tuttle made many recordings throughout her career, both private and commercially released.