Carmichael, Karen, 1952-

Karen Carmichael, professional dancer, performer, and designer, was born Karen Rau in Gulfport Mississippi. She attended high school in Dayton Ohio where she developed a love of journalism and first began to dance. She was scouted by the Tibor Rudas theatrical organization and went to train in Montreal.

She began her career dancing in Canada and training dancers for various Tibor Rudas produced shows before leaving in 1976 to join her husband, Michael Charrick, in his family's juggling act. They arrived in Las Vegas in 1980, the day of the MGM Grand fire. Rau performed with Charrick until their divorce in 1984, when she began dancing at the Desert Inn and other Las Vegas resorts before starting her own adagio act, Skyline. Skyline performed in Las Vegas and internationally in Tahiti, Bermuda, Germany, and other tourist destinations.

After her career as a dancer Karen worked with Debbie Reynolds at the Debbie Reynold’s Hotel in Las Vegas then began a career in costume and jewelry design. Her works have garnered many awards particularly through Swarovski. Through Leslie K Creations and now LKC she has developed award winning designs that have been displayed in galleries around the county.