Karen DeBauche is a music educator recently retired as Director of Bands at Urbana Middle School after 30 years of service. She continues her work as a sought-after clinician and performer, with recent engagements taking her as far as Alaska.

She studied clarinet performance at University of Missouri-Columbia, although Karen is proficient in several instruments including flute and handbells. Over the years, she has performed with numerous ensembles throughout the Champaign-Urbana vicinity. Karen is active in the music program at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Urbana, where she has performed the handbell program.

Serving as a member of the board for Sound Curiosity, Karen initiated the original proposal which grew into the organization's pilot program. Teaming up with Executive Director Daniel M. Reck, they brought several sets of handbells and handchimes to Urbana Middle School, offering an introduction the instruments which saw dozens of students who had never before played handbells present a successful mini-concert in just three weeks.