Karen Poplin
Elementary, Middle School, High School Music
Born and raised in South Carolina, Karen (Smith) Poplin started playing the piano by ear at age 5 and began lessons during elementary school. In high school she continued her musical studies on organ, drums and voice. Her sophomore year in high school she became full time organist in her church and through the years has continued to serve each of the churches she has attended in many capacities; as organist/pianist, choir director for adults, youth and children as well as church music director and worship leader. In 1977, she met her husband Gary Poplin while at Anderson Junior College and they were married in August 1979. She and Gary have 3 children, two sons and a daughter; two are married and one is a senior at DBCS. They also have one grand-daughter. After twenty one and a half years of travel with the United States Air Force the Poplin's retired and settled in Virginia, December 1999. Karen then went back to college (for the third time) and in 2005 earned a Bachelors of Music with a concentration in vocal performance from Christopher Newport University. Karen has been at DBCS since the fall of 2000 and currently serves as the elementary, middle and high school music teacher, choral director and student-led praise band supervisor. She also serves as organist and adult choir director at Ivy Memorial Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia.
