About Sara
I believe Music is for life and the lessons you learn in music are applicable everywhere!
A bit about me!
I’ve been playing the Euphonium since I was 10! Looking back now, I’m glad my parents were encouraging and supportive. They were my very first audience and my biggest cheerleaders. That sense of empowerment helped me to continue to push myself and before I knew it, I was performing at school competitions as well as at state level music competitions.
Formal Education & Training
Soon after I finished my senior year a Wilmot Union in 2008 I joined UW Parkside to further my education in Music Performance. While a student, I worked hard and in my first year made it to the Dean’s list.
After graduating from UW Parkside, I worked as a General Music teacher at Kenosha Unified where I created original curriculum, taught K-8 grades, and conducted over 300 students in the district wide band festival. I also worked in the corporate world for a brief period of time where I gained valuable experience in customer service, training & onboarding new associates and underwent basic management training.
I went back to school in early 2017 to further my education – Master in Music Performance in the Euphonium and Trombone. My school of choice was UW Milwaukee where I had the opportunity to learn from music greats such as John Climer, Scott Corley, Mark Hoelscher, and Andy Smith. I can honestly say the program is worth your time and money and what I learned through the whole experience is simply invaluable. Not only that, I worked a full time job, while planning a wedding, and put in countless hours of studying, practicing, and rehearsing so that I could graduate with a Summa Cum Laude (highest honors).
School Awards & Recognitions
- Chancellor’s Graduate Student Award – 2018
- Freund Scholarship Award – 2017
- NBA /WC Honors Band – First Chair Euphonium – 2008 – 2021
- John Phillips Sousa Award – 2006, 2007, & 2008, given to the most dedicated member of the school’s Wind Ensemble
- Picken Scholarship for Arts & Humanities – 2008 & 2009
- Freshman of the Year Award – Wind Ensemble
- Varsity Tennis Team Captain – 2007 & 2008
What I believe
The sooner you get started in music, the better. Within the wide world of music, your child will need time to experiment, practice and fall in love with one or two music instruments.
Music is for everyone!
The only way to get good at anything is focused practice. As your family begins this journey into music, plan ahead so your child can stay focused and have plenty of time to practice music.
Now more than ever, students are expected to learn so much in so little time while at school. For a variety of reasons, students do not get the individual instruction time necessary to develop and grow their passion for classical music. What this means for most students is that they will need private lessons to help them flourish and take their skills to the next level.
This is the reason why I offer private music lessons so I can help the younger generation of students to excel in music and make music a career!
While it is fair to say music consumes most of my time, the remainder of my time is spent with my family! My little family consists of my husband Tony, our dogs Aiden and Herbie, and our cats Cora and Milo!
I love supporting our local animal rescue shelters, in particular Safe Harbor Humane Society in Kenosha, White Paws German Shepherd Rescue, and Wright Way/Lamb’s Farm in Illinois.