Karen Coates
Musical Director / Conductor
Mrs. Karen M. Coates, a Buena graduate, is the band and choir director at Buena Middle School. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Rowan University. Since then, she has she taught instrumental music, vocal music, and dance to elementary, middle, and high school students. She's had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall, as well as performing under prominent wind composer James Curnow, Grammy Award Winning conductor Dr. Robert Page, and with renowned musicians such as Dale Underwood and Randy Brecker. Mrs. Coates has performed in, directed, and choreographed for various musical theater programs throughout the region. Her professional affiliations include Sigma Alpha Iota, NJMEA, NAfME and Dance Time Productions. In addition to her performing arts studies, Mrs. Coates has traveled to Europe to study language and International Business, and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree.