Biographical Sketch
Sarah received her master of music degree in flute performance and pedagogy in 2004 from Brigham Young University, where she studied with April Clayton. She was the studio teaching assistant and full scholarship recipient. She also taught college level flute lessons and conducted master classes for the BYU Flute Studio, BYU Summerfest, and private flute studios. She performed in the world premieres of pieces composed by accomplished faculty such as Murray Boren and David Sargent, and can be heard on the Pixar film Lemmings, which won awards from the Cannes Student Film Festival. She participated in a baroque ensemble, played principal flute in the Wind Symphony, and performed regularly with the Group for New Music. She was regularly asked to perform with faculty members at the college.
Sarah received her bachelor of music degree in flute performance in 2003 from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she studied with the world-renowned flutist, Alexa Still. She received the Most Outstanding Graduating Senior award and graduated with high honors. Sarah performed in the orchestra, opera orchestra, wind symphony, and chamber orchestra. She received numerous scholarships, won the Wallace F. Fiske performance award, and received an honorable mention in the college-wide concerto competition.
Sarah has placed in many competitions, including the UFA/Summerhays national flute competition, Utah State Fair flute competition, and several concerto competitions. She has performed the Poem by Griffes with the Aurora Symphony Orchestra (of Colorado), the Lukas Foss Renaissance Concerto with the Pike's Peak Philharmonic and Concerto in e minor by Mercadante with a Utah chamber orchestra. She has performed at the National Flute Association's annual flute convention several times, including a performance with Robert Aitken, a Lifetime Achievement Award Winner.
Sarah is an experienced adjudicator, having judged district solo and ensemble, Federation Flute Festival, and various concerto and scholarship competitions. She has extensive teaching experience and in addition to private flute lessons she has conducted flute choirs, children's choirs, and was adjunct faculty at Salt Lake Community College teaching courses in music appreciation and music theory.
Masterclass performances include those for such admirable musicians as Jeanne Baxtresser, Walfrid Kujala, Paul Edmund-Davies, Carol Wincenc, Amy Porter, and many others. An avid performer, teacher, and promoter of music, Sarah also enjoys hiking, waterskiing, reading, gorgeous sunsets, and spending time with her husband and two children.
