Karen Zuidema is a native of Viroqua, WI. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1983 with a music education degree (double emphasis in piano and voice) and received a Master of Arts in Education Degree from Silver Lake College in 2002.

At John Muir Middle School in Wausau, Karen co-directed the 160 mixed-voice 7th grade choir, directed the 75-voice young men's 8th grade choir and directed the 45-voice auditioned John Muir Pop/Jazz Choir. She was an honored educator in the Wausau School District Honoring Excellence in Education in 2016 and was awarded the Resolution of Commendation Award from the Wausau School District Board of Education in 2000, 2002, 2008, and 2011. She has been very active in WCDA; functioning as the state convention facility chair in 2017 and 2018, the Northcentral Wisconsin representative of the WCDA executive board for two terms, and Singing in Wisconsin state chairperson for six years. She has been a frequently invited guest conductor for various WCDA Singing in Wisconsin women's choirs across the state, the Western Wisconsin Middle Level Honors Choir in 2008 and the South Central Wisconsin Middle Level Honors Choir in 2017.

In 2009 Ms. Zuidema received the WCDA Outstanding Middle Level Choral Director Award and in 2011 was awarded a Yale Outstanding Music Educator Award, therefore attending the renowned Yale Music Symposium that summer. She is active with WSMA and WMEA, serving as the Middle Level Honors Choir project alto coach from 2012-2014, ongoing member of the Solo and Ensemble festival music selection committee, and a Solo and Ensemble festival master adjudicator. In 2014 she was invited to be a session presenter at the WMEA Wisconsin state convention; presenting a session entitled "Fearless Females Leading Boys' Choirs".

Ms. Zuidema was a performing member of the professional choral ensemble Heartland Singers and is currently a performing member with the Wausau Lyric Choir.