About Us

Karen Koyama is the owner of Nine Bells And Cat Tails and Dolce Music Academy, as well as a veteran of the US Army.  She has two sons, and is engaged to Matthew Cooper.  The two of them plan to be married this fall!

Karen's main spiritual practice is Buddhism.  Her family's temple has been in her family for over 43 generations.  In the last 5 years, her most impactful mentor has been an Ifa priest who is from the Yoruba religion.  Because of this, Karen's practice and knowledge is also an eclectic mix, like her shop, ranging from ancestral veneration to simply connecting with nature.

Aside from her shop, she is a concert pianist and performs locally throughout the year.  She teaches piano at Beloit College and Dolce Music Academy (right in her shop).  In her free time she likes to spend as much time as possible with her family!