Karyl Carlson

Dr. Karyl Carlson is a lifelong music educator and arts advocate whose career has spanned elementary, secondary, and collegiate teaching across diverse communities. She is thrilled to be returning to the CWU Music Department. After beginning her teaching journey in rural Illinois, she spent over a decade in Miami, Florida, at Hialeah–Miami Lakes High School and the famed New World School of the Arts. Following her doctoral studies at Michigan State University, she served as Director of Choral Activities at both Central Washington University and Illinois State University (ISU) 

Throughout her career, Dr. Carlson has been deeply engaged with the American Choral Directors Association, serving in both state and regional leadership roles. She also enjoyed an extensive career as a soprano soloist, collaborative pianist, including a performance at the Benjamin Britten Red House Library in Aldeburgh, UK, and at a British music symposium in St. Petersburg, Russia. Carlson has conducted numerous operas, musicals and major works, most notably Benjamin Britten’s WAR REQUIEM at ISU. She is scheduled to conduct Carl Orff’s CARMINA BURANA with Mid-America Productions at Carnegie Hall in June, 2027.    

Since retiring from full-time teaching, Carlson has pivoted her creative focus to filmmaking. Her documentary short “HML SINGERS: Music Over Time" is in  post-production. She aims to amplify stories that champion music education, choral artistry, and cultural connection. The film is the centerpiece of a planned accessible toolkit for arts advocacy purposes. 

Dr. Carlson remains active as a choral adjudicator and conducting coach. In pedagogy, Carlson emphasizes confidence in fundamental skills to start the process of musical discovery, the precision allowing for consistent, yet spontaneous artistry. 

Now residing in Grandview, Washington, she continues to pursue her musical passions as a member of the Prosser Community Band and by performing with the cover band, REVOLVE. Dr. Carlson is thrilled to return to the faculty at Central Washington University as the conductor of the fine treble ensemble, VOX DIVINA.