Karin Schaupp is one of the most outstanding guitarists on the international scene.  She performs widely on the international stage as a recitalist, concerto soloist and festival guest, and has given countless recitals in Australia, Europe, Asia, the US, Mexico and Canada.  Karin’s playing receives the highest acclaim from critics and audiences alike and she is held in great esteem by her peers worldwide.   Her unique stage presence and magical, passionate playing have inspired several composers to write works especially for her.

Karin’s guitar training began at the age of five and she first performed in public the following year.  While still in her teens she won prizes at international competitions in Lagonegro, Italy and Madrid, Spain, where she was also awarded the special competition prize for the Best Interpretation of Spanish Music.

Taught almost exclusively by her guitarist mother, Isolde Schaupp, Karin completed her tertiary music studies at The University of Queensland with First Class Honours, a Masters degree and was the recipient of a University Gold Medal.  In 2003 she was awarded the Music Council of Australia Freedman Fellowship in recognition of her achievements.

Karin has released six highly acclaimed solo CDs for Warner Music International and ABC Classics.  Her debut Soliloquy (1997) was followed by Leyenda (1998), Evocation (2000), Dreams (2004), and Lotte’s Gift (2007), the soundtrack to the play of the same name, which was written for her by David Williamson.  Classical Guitar Magazine (UK) praised Soliloquy as "a pace-setting performance in all respects…", while the Ottawa Citizen (Canada) described Karin’s playing on Leyenda, with "The poetic intensity and sense of elation in her playing are truly quite special”.  Collaborative ensemble releases include three albums with Saffire, The Australian Guitar Quartet; and a duo album with Genevieve Lacey (recorders).  Orchestral releases include the award-winning world premiere recording of Ross Edwards’ Concerto for Guitar and Strings (2004), Peter Sculthorpe’s Nourlangie (2005) for guitar and orchestra with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and Spain (2009) featuring concertos by Rodrigo and Bacarisse with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, and Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Romancero Gitano with the choir Cantillation.  Karin’s most recent release is Cradle Songs (2010), a collection of exquisite lullabies from around the world, all arranged for solo guitar.