Biography

Sarah’s Music Studio

Current Teaching:
AMEB, ABRSM, Trinity Syllabuses
HSC Practical preparation
Beginner-Advanced, all ages

Sarah’s Music Studio 2002-
My private studio in Strathfield.
Individual private lessons

Methodist Ladies College (M.L.C) 2012-
Private Lessons
Yearly String Programs
Ensemble Coaching – Junior Orchestra
Previous work at MLC– Year 2 String program, Sinfonietta Conductor, Symphony Orchestra coach, Chamber Music coach

Trinity Grammar School 2018 –
Private Lessons
Yearly String Programs – Year 1,2, and 3
Ensemble Coaching – Mozart Strings, and Intermezzo Strings

Sarah plays the piano, Cello, and viola, but her principle instrument is the violin, on which she passed her A.B.R.S.M Performance Diploma in 2005, and her A.B.R.S.M Teaching Diploma in 2008.  After completing her Under Graduate degree at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on a four year full scholarship, she then undertook a MA in Music Performance, funded both years by bursaries from EMI Sound Music Foundation, which she graduated from in July 2011.  Whilst there, she studied violin under Christopher Horner, and David Adams. 

Before she entered the RWCMD Sarah was part of a selected ensemble who played in the BBC Proms (2005), she reached the finals of the National Festival of Music for Youth twice, and gave several recitals including performing Vivaldi’s Spring Concerto. During this time, she was also the leader of the Taunton String Quartet,who were highly sought after, and were asked to play at the launch of the Queen Mary 2.  As a quartet they also won Silver in the 2004 Keyskills Chamber Music award, and received a masterclass with the Allegri string quartet.  

As a keen orchestral player, she has played within many ensembles.   In 2006 Sarah was invited to play in the National Youth String Academy, and in summer 2007 they performed in the Walton Festival.  Whilst there, she led the orchestra under Sir Neville Mariner.

Whilst at R.W.C.M.D she played in and led the Symphony Orchestra, String Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, and Concertanti Strings.  In 2010 she also auditioned and won a place on the prestigious Welsh National Opera placement scheme, gaining the 1st Violin placement.  She has also worked with BBCSSO conductor Jessica Cottis in Bloomsbury Opera (2009), and the Ashover Festival (2009, 2010).  As well as Ms Cottis, Sarah has also worked with Lothar Koenigs, Maxim Vengerov, Paul Daniels, Levon Parikian, Andrea Licata, and the late Sir Charles Mackerras.  She also has extensive experience working as a pit musician, and has led productions of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Hello Again (RWCMD Productions), My Fair Lady, Oliver, and played 1st violin in Guys and Dolls, and Joseph and the Technicoloured Dreamcoat.  

She also has a keen interest in period playing and stylistic awareness, and played in the Classical and Baroque Orchestra for 2 years, on baroque violin.

Whilst at the RWCMD she received masterclasses from several prominent violinists, and whilst in her 3rd year of study she also won the Paganini Prize (2008).

Other competitions Sarah has participated in include the Music at Beaulieu award, within which she successfully won a place in the finals several times for outstanding musicianship, after which she was invited back to play in 3 Gala Concerts.

After graduating in 2011 Sarah made the decision to leave the UK and moved to Sydney to participate in auditions for the Australian Chamber Orchestra Emering Artist Program.

Since moving here 10 years ago Sarah has settled and enjoys a portfolio career of both performing and teaching both in schools, and with her own studio ‘Sarah’s Music Studio’.  Her students have achieved much success in their playing and examinations, and several have gone onto study music at Tertiary levels.  Sarah is currently teaching within the prestigious music department at Trinity Grammar School,  and Methodist Ladies College (MLC).

She has also enjoyed a wide variety of regular performances at venues including the Sydney Opera House, City Recital Hall, Enmore Theatre, The Concourse, The Independant Theatre, Verbruggen Hall, Eugene Goossens hall (ABC), and Sydney Town Hall.

Sarah has performed a wide variety of music, from Orchestral, Opera and Ballet, and Movie and Video game music, with some of her highlights including David Attenborough’s Blue Planet and Planet Earth tour, performing with the English National Ballet during their Sydney tour as well as performing as a soloist for Vivadi’s 4 seasons. She is looking forward to Covid-19 restrictions easing so that concert halls can open, and concerts can recommence.

Sarah currently performs on a Sanctus Seraphin violin, and a Nürenberger bow.