Professional Bio 2011
Since August 2006, Karen has been enjoying performing across Asia and beyond!
5 Star International Contracts:
Six Senses Con Dao Island, Vietnam
Dec 22, 2010-Jan 15, 2011
Intercontinental Asiana Saigon
August-November, 2010
ITC Royal Gardenia Hotel Bangalore India
January-June, 2010
Muscat, Oman Rock Bottom Club, Renegades Cover Band
September-December 2009
Hilton Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Malaysia
January-March, 2009
Langham Place Hotel, Hong Kong
May-November 30, 2008
Hilton Kuala Lumpur Hotel, Malaysia
February-April, 2008
King & Queen of Malaysia Command Performance
Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur Hotel, March 27, 2008
Langham Place Hotel, Hong Kong
August-October, 2007
Hyatt Hotel & Casino Manila, Philippines Wednesday Nights
July 2007
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Martini's Bar, Manila, Philippines
February-June, 2007
Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel, Hong Kong
September-November, 2006
Her colourful delivery and light-hearted banter make for a lively show and playing with international musicians has greatly increased Karen’s versatility and experience - she now sings in 13 languages and has a vast repertoire of 500 songs from all genres of musical hits past and present!
Prior to her international singing career, Karen's Canada-based music business began in 2000. Working with the finest musicians, she personally booked her band in premiere jazz clubs, corporate and private functions, music festivals, charity galas and more. Karen debuted on the Canadian music scene with the independent, self-produced cd release "Yours in Song" (2004), followed by "Live at the Montreal Bistro" (2006). Please visit www.karenmanion.com to watch videos, listen to recordings, read press and critical acclaim and purchase cds!
Personal Biography
Karen was born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario in a musical family. Throughout her childhood, she won several Kiwanis Music Festival Vocal awards, enjoyed 6 years of tap, jazz and modern dance training and is no stranger to the stage.
Bed sheets draped over a clothesline transformed the family garage into a theatre. For five cents, she would read the neighbourhood kids' fortunes by gazing into a basketball covered with tin foil. Her costume was a beach towel wound dramatically on top of her head, pinchy Woolworth hoop earrings and her mother's cast-off, 1950s party dresses, complete with matching satin, pointy shoes. Reality didn't stand a chance against this make-believe retreat. Her mother recalls the story of Karen bursting into the house in tears because Dad had parked his car in her playhouse!
Karen was talent-scouted and modeled professionally through high school, won runner-up in the Ms. Niagara Pageant, then at 18, was awarded a much-coveted Niagara Region Modeling contract with Elite Chicago, where she moved to continue her modeling career.
Following that adventure, Karen returned to Canada, and moved to Toronto. She has enjoyed successful careers in fashion, magazines, advertising, coming back full-circle to her love of singing.
In 2000, Karen re-invented herself as a jazz singer and that same year, she opened Manion Works, a project management business, to supplement her musical income. Her experience with business and client expectations, give her that edge in working with corporate clients and special event managers.
In August 2006, Karen flipped her passion for singing into a full-time career and has been having the time of her life performing the 5 star, international hotel circuit in Asia and beyond - for more on that see Professional Bio above. Karen's performance art training includes Royal Conservatory of Music, Jazz Singing, Performance Masters Classes, Second City Improv, voice-over training and more.
Many thanks for your interest!