In addition to his work as a jazz musician and arranger, Keith Karns is also a classical trumpet player and trumpet teacher. He is interested in contemporary American music for trumpet and brass quintet. Keith has given recitals at Oklahoma University, Central Washington University, Adams State University, Brookhaven College, Tarleton State University, Texas Tech University, North Central Texas College, and Western Oregon University. His brass quintet has performed nationwide and was invited to perfrom a recital of Keith's original compositions for brass quintet at the 2019 TMEA conference.

Keith's teachers include John Harbaugh, Bob Baca, Joey Tartel, Jay Saunders, Vern Kagarice, Jan Kagarice, and Bill Adam.

Keith Karns: Handel Suite in D Major for Piccolo Trumpet