Karen Schnackenberg

Karen Schnackenberg is the Jessie D. & E.B. Godsey Principal Librarian at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Karen has also worked as an orchestra librarian and violinist for the New Orleans Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, and Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra.

Schnackenberg began their career as a violinist with the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra in 1979. In 1986, they joined the Santa Fe Opera as a violinist and orchestra librarian. Karen worked for the Opera for five consecutive summers before moving to the New Orleans Symphony in 1989.

Schnackenberg has been with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra since 1990. In their current position as Principal Librarian, they are responsible for managing the orchestra's music library and preparing music for rehearsals and performances.

Karen Schnackenberg has a Masters of Music in Violin from Meadowmount School of Music, a Masters of Music in Violin Performance and Music Theory from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelors of Music Education in Violin from the University of Oklahoma. Karen also has a masters in Violin, Orchestral, and Chamber Music from the Aspen Music Festival and School.

They are on a team with Carolyn Jabr - Young Strings Manager, Stephanie Izaguirre - Young Musicians Coordinator, and Micah Ringham - Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Operations Manager. Their manager is Katie McGuinness, Wildenthal Families VP of Artistic Operations.