“Sara offers online, in-home, and in-studio lessons specializing in voice, Alexander Technique, ear training, music appreciation, music history, and music theory. With a belief in the transformative power of music, Sara draws from her extensive experience as a professional singer across Canada, Europe, and the United States. Her approach emphasizes unlocking each student's unique artistic voice while fostering technical proficiency and an understanding of music's broader contexts. Sara holds a Bachelor's in Voice Performance from the University of Toronto, a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Roosevelt University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Voice Performance at McGill University. Fluent in English, French, and German, Sara's teaching philosophy combines musical expertise with a commitment to community engagement and social change. Book an interview now.”
- Sara
BOOK AN INTERVIEW WITH SARA NOW
I believe music to be the most powerful way of expressing the nuances of the human condition: transcending languages, cultural backgrounds, and experiences. Whether performing in hospitals, churches, long-term care homes, synagogues, or in international concert halls and opera theatres, I have witnessed first-hand how music brings people together and can provide relief, healing, joy, and unity. During my career as a professional singer in Canada, Europe, and the United States, I have consistently challenged myself to explore different settings, mentorships, and opportunities in order to develop my skills as a leader in the opera community. My experiences in varied contexts have made me an informed, well-rounded musician able to work in different languages, cultural settings, and styles of music. I am committed to non-profit work and spreading music into different communities. I advocate for change in my industry through journalism, by producing new works that reflect Canada’s cultural diversity, and by using music as a fundraising tool to support causes I care about. I also support my community by teaching music as well as yoga to prevent injury and support wellness for musicians and singers. I bring these experiences to my teaching. I work with students on their technical musical skills, and in studying the standard repertoire, using the techniques learned from leading teachers in Toronto, Chicago and Vienna, among others (see CV). However, I also seek to encourage students to understand music in different contexts, and the role music, opera and performance can have in addressing social issues, different needs in society, and bring people together. I also believe in spreading the joy of music, and using all of my creativity to help students express their own unique artistry.
Name: Sara (Full name will be provided upon registration)
Age: 30's
Gender: female
I have an honours B.Mus. in Voice Performance from the University of Toronto and a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Roosevelt University in Chicago. I studied additionally at Vienna's famed Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst under the Hnatyshyn Foundation Award for Voice Performance. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Voice Performance at McGill University. I also studied at many prestigious festivals and have performed professionally for many years.
Eckhardt-Grammaté Competition - 3rd Prize, National Finals (2023) Vancouver Opera Foundation Award (2021) Dora Mavor Moore Award - Outstanding Performance by an Individual (Nominee) (2020) Canada Council for the Arts - Grant Winner (2020) Hnatyshyn Foundation - Voice Performance Prize (2020) Metropolitan Opera National Council - Ohio District Winner (2020) Singing Stars of Tomorrow - IRCPA - Winner (2019)
Certified Yoga Teacher and Restorative Yoga Teacher, Yoga Alliance of Canada, Toronto 2022 • Completed Octopus Garden Yoga Centre's 200-hour teacher training program as well as a 40-hour restorative yoga teaching certificate • Fostered a deep understanding of the practise of yoga, reading bodies, subtle anatomy asana, philosophy, meditation, pranayama and communication skills as the basic foundation of a holistic and well-rounded practice EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Manitoba Opera, Canada; Highlands Opera Studio University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna Aspen Music Festival, USA, Dayton Opera, USA Fall Island Festival; Toronto Summer Music Castleton Festival (cond. Lorin Maazel)
English
French
German
Rates and Studio Policies
Registration Fee: $25.00 (One-time lifetime registration fee may be used by all family members)
Rates for instruction:
30 minute private lesson: $39.00
45 minute private lesson: $49.00
60 minute private lesson: $59.00
Travel charge: additional $15.00 per visit (for lessons in a client's home as opposed to my studio)
1. Cancellation Policy
Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.
2. Cessation (quitting) Policy
A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.
3. Illness Policy
Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.
BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.
No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.
4. Rescheduling Policy
Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.
Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy
Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.
It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.
5. Evaluation Period
There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).
Lessons in your home
Sara is available to teach in your home if you are located in the following areas
Online lessons
Sara can provide online instruction. While other platforms are possible BAH strongly recommends the use of the Zoom video conferencing platform as it is optimized for music lessons and audio quality.
Sara's Studio Location
Sara offers lessons from her studio. Please note that map locations are based on the postal code of the teachers studio. address will be released to you if needed.