Karen and Robert M. Kohler endow the world’s first cabaret scholarship, the Peter E. Kohler Scholarship in Cabaret Performance at Long Island University, Greenvale, NY where the couple met as college students in 1982 and married in 1988. It is named for her late father-in-law who, as a musician and former American soldier, introduced her to the music of Marlene Dietrich and in so doing provided her with a link back to her family’s roots in Berlin.

Singer Joanna Durante, grand-niece of comedian Jimmy Durante, was the first recipient of the prize. For more information about LIU/Post’s School of Visual and Performing Arts, visit www.liu.edu/svpa

Karen’s passion extends beyond performance to producing, directing and teaching. Students have traveled from as far away as Australia for her private mentorship in Brooklyn. She conducted her first master class ~ Beyond The Beautiful Voice: The Art of Interpretation ~ in 2005 and has since taught stagecraft in conjunction with her concerts worldwide. Read more about her classes, workshops and private coaching under Guiding.