Media
Published Works, Interviews/In The Media,
Public Speaking, Teaching & Leadership, Performances
Published Works
(Writing & Photography)
​
The Los Angeles Times
“The Art Of Idling” by Rachel Sarah Thurston,
photo credit Karen Custer Thurston
April 2006
https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-apr-23-tr-croatia23-story.html
Atlas Obscura
“The Most Memorable Strangers You’ve Met While Traveling”
Contributor
October 2018
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/incredible-stories-of-strangers-met-traveling
ISAMETD (the Indiana Association of Middle Eastern Dancers) monthly newsletters
Editor and Contributor
1975-1990
The Beautiful Santa Ynez Valley by Rachel Sarah Thurston
book jacket head shot photo credit by Karen Custer Thurston
2008
The Arizona Daily Sun
“A Journey To Sheepdog Trials In Colorado”
September 2001
​
Hunting In Arizona Magazine
“Paradise Valley Beagles In Flagstaff” story and photos by Karen Custer Thurston
November 2013
​
The Wabash Plain Dealer
“Daughter Wins Reserve ‘Best In Show’ For Late Mother”
story and photos
by Karen Custer Thurston
October 2018
Covertside Magazine
“Hunting Across The Big Pond” by Karen Custer Thurston
https://www.ecovertside.net/features/feature-articles/hunt-reports/333-hunting-across-the-big-pond
​
Covertside Magazine
“It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” photo contributor
​
​
In The Media
​
​
Travelers Tales Publication
"Mama Chihuahua: World's Fiercest Travel Partner"
humor travel story about Karen Custer Thurston
written by Rachel Sarah Thurston.
What Color Is Your Jockstrap? Funny Men And Women Write From The Road
May 2006
​
Arizona Daily Sun
“Porters In Nepal Need Winter Clothing”
July 2003
​
Arizona Daily Sun
“Community Thanks” contributor
https://azdailysun.com/community-thanks-11-30-03/article_b2d027fe-7c4c-5827-bfa5-71df5eeba635.html
​
Arizona Daily Sun
“Bollywood Movies Catch Fire”
February 2007
Arizona Daily Sun
“Flagstaff’s 21st Labor Day Art In The Park Offers Easy Interaction With Artists”
August 2013
Flagstaff 365
“Downtown Friday Nights: Al Rakasaat And Steve Elowson”
https://www.flagstaff365.com/event/dfn-performance/
Arizona Daily Sun
“Modern Version Of ‘Nutcracker’ Brings Authentic Flair”
December 2016
​
​
Public Speaking/Presenting
​
​
“Around The World With The Thurston Girls” co-presenter with Rachel Sarah Thurston at the historic
Santa Barbara Woman’s Club
January 2019
http://rsthurston.blogspot.com/2019/01/around-world-with-thurston-girls-presentation.html
“Around The World In 13 Years With The Thurston Girls” National Webinar Interview by Ingrid Sarrat with Karen Custer Thurston and Rachel Sarah Thurston
2013
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8ACbfJBt0
Presentation of travel writing piece “Haunting Eyes” about Nepali adventures at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona for the English Graduate Organization “Peaks” program
2016
“Hunting and Horseback Riding On The Colorado Plateau” multimedia presentation for The Northern Hunt Club in Tasmania, Australia
2011
Annual Co-Host, Speaker/Emcee/Master of Ceremonies, Event Organizer for the INDY International Dance Festival, Indianapolis. Served as emcee/announcer, organized dance groups from around the world on multiple stages, Master Of Ceremonies for performers for 5 day global festival.
1979-1988
https://www.facebook.com/INDYInternationalFestival/
Led Public Presentations and Hikes for the
National Park Service at:
Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument in Flagstaff, AZ
https://www.nps.gov/sucr/index.htm
Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the border of Texas and New Mexico
https://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm
1996-1998
*Serving as both an SCA (Student Conservation Association) intern and then as full-time National Park Service Ranger, Karen gave daily talks to park visitors on the geography, volcanology, wildlife, and Native American culture of Northern Arizona.
​
​
​
​
Teaching
& Leadership
​
47 years of professional teaching in 12 categories of Fitness/Wellness and Dance Classes
Avon Schools (Avon, IN),
Private Dance and Fitness Studio in (Zionsville, IN),
ISAMEDT Haflias (IN)
Olney Community College (Olney, IL)
Coconino Community College (Flagstaff, AZ)
Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ)
1964-2017
Owner, Manager, and Instructor at The Studio (Zionsville, IN)
Led and taught classes for the local community, managed a staff of fitness, weight training, wellness, and dance teachers
1983-1993
Fitness Instructor/Consultant for the International YWCA ENCORE program for breast cancer survivors and served on the Board of Directors.
1975-1981
​
Faculty/Professor at Northern Arizona University
For Fitness (cardio and strength building), Middle Eastern, and Bollywood Dance Classes
2008-2012
Faculty/Professor at Coconino Community College
For Fitness (cardio and strength building), Middle Eastern, and Bollywood Dance Classes
2003-2017
Co-Founder, President, Founding Member of ISAMETD (Indiana State Association of Middle Eastern Teachers and Dancers)
1975-1990
Visiting Guest Artist In Indiana with Roxanna Santoro
Teaching Middle Eastern Dance choreography and percussion
Indianapolis, IN
1997-2004
​
​
​
Performances:
Middle Eastern, Bollywood, and Drumming
​
​
47 years of performance as a Middle Eastern/Turkish Egyptian Dancer and Choreographer at top venues
in the Midwest and Southwestern United States
Indianapolis International Dance Festival, ISAMEDT Haflias, 4th Street Art Festival,
Public School System (IN),
Middle Eastern and Greek Restaurants,
Art In The Park Summer Festival (Flagstaff, AZ),
Northern Arizona University Theatre,
Wheeler Park, Peaks Senior Living Facility (AZ),
Flagstaff Downtown Business Association Heritage Square, and Private Events.
Founder, Director, and Lead Choreographer for
Al Rakasaat Middle Eastern Dance Troupe
Based in Flagstaff, Arizona
1997-2017
Performed at Flagstaff’s top venues:
Theatre, NAU, Heritage Park, Wheeler Park
Co-Founder and Performer for ISAMEDT ( Indiana Association Of Middle Eastern Dancers)
1975-1990
Performer at the Indianapolis International Festival
1978-1987
​
​
Education And Certifications:
​
IDEA Health and Fitness Association
Member since 1985
​
Masters of Science in Physical Education/Education
Graduated from Butler University
Indianapolis, Indiana
1973
​
Bachelor of Arts (Physical Education Major/English Minor)
Graduated from Purdue University
West Lafayette, Indiana
1968
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Contact Me:
​
Photo Credits:
Rachel Sarah Thurston: Pic #2, #6, #8-#11
Heather Swan, Liberty Shots: Pic #1
National Park Service photographer Pic #7
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
