testimonials
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It has been a true pleasure having Sarah as a piano teacher for our two children. Our kids LOVE their lessons and look forward to them every single time. Sarah is warm, gentle, and inviting. She took the time to get to know the kids and build a trusting, respectful relationship with them, and I noticed them instantly at ease (even my shy 5 year old!). With this strong foundation, the kids are able to relax into the lesson in a beautiful way, and, oh my, are they learning a lot! Sarah has a gift of making the learning fun, both in terms of the pieces she brings and the music theory she teaches along the way. She truly follows the lead of the children, allowing them space for personal creativity while also hand selecting pieces she knows they will be excited about. We look forward to working with Sarah for many years to come and highly recommend her!
-Emily Mastellone-Snyder (parent of two piano students, non-profit leadership professional & educator in Amherst, MA) "We would absolutely love to continue with piano lessons with you. You are so talented and your way with children is beautiful (I only see you with my children of course, but it’s clear you know how to connect with them and they love working with you)."
-Anna Romer (parent of two piano students, teacher at Hartsbrook Waldorf School in Hadley, MA) |
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I have very much enjoyed my vocal lessons with Sarah. Her blend of qigong practice, energy movement, and vocal coaching align your whole body and voice. My confidence singing has vastly improved, and so has my technique, quality, and pitch. My ears are more in tune, and my ability to match pitch is dramatically better. I'm still on my journey, but Sarah has brought me much closer to my singing goals. She is also good natured, patient, easy to talk to and easy to trust.
-Adom Balcom (voice coaching student, art director/graphic design professional in Greenfield, MA)
-Adom Balcom (voice coaching student, art director/graphic design professional in Greenfield, MA)
"A good teacher, motivational, kind/patient, etc... Sarah was all of these things and more! Sarah was an excellent piano teacher on the days when I was ready to play and learn, but more importantly, she was always happy to help me physically and mentally refocus on the days when I wasn't. Her unique teaching style changed my perspective on playing an instrument and ensured that practicing never felt like a burden. I definitely owe a lot of my progress to her."
-Perry Katsarakes (former piano student, biomedical engineer)
-Perry Katsarakes (former piano student, biomedical engineer)
"I had a wonderful experience working with Sarah. As someone who loves singing but often feels disconnected from my voice, or like my voice is an obstacle I need to overcome, I find Sarah's holistic approach to the voice so refreshing. Sarah encourages you to think of every 'piece' of your voice as one voice altogether, and incorporates your body into the process. Overall, Sarah's teaching is a breath of fresh air!"
-Kerrie Maguire (received musical direction and private voice coaching during Lizzie: The Musical)
-Kerrie Maguire (received musical direction and private voice coaching during Lizzie: The Musical)
"Returning to education as an adult to take up classic piano lessons, I was fortunate to be assigned to Sarah, a music teacher who transcends expectations. Her acceptance and encouragement from day one, regardless of my age or inexperience, set the tone for a transformative journey. Sarah’s patience, clarity in teaching, and passion for music not only made learning accessible but deeply enjoyable. Her ability to create a nurturing environment, where music and laughter intertwine, speaks volumes of her dedication and talent as an educator.
Sarah’s flexibility and kindness, especially when my daughter accompanied me to lessons, further highlight her exceptional character. Whether providing mini piano lessons or engaging activities, Sarah ensured a welcoming space for us both. Her influence extends beyond piano skills, leaving a lasting impact on our lives. For her unwavering support and inspiring presence, I am profoundly grateful. Sarah is not just a teacher; she is a remarkable guide in the pursuit of musical passion."
-Kat Taylor (former piano student, small business owner in Springfield, MA)
Sarah’s flexibility and kindness, especially when my daughter accompanied me to lessons, further highlight her exceptional character. Whether providing mini piano lessons or engaging activities, Sarah ensured a welcoming space for us both. Her influence extends beyond piano skills, leaving a lasting impact on our lives. For her unwavering support and inspiring presence, I am profoundly grateful. Sarah is not just a teacher; she is a remarkable guide in the pursuit of musical passion."
-Kat Taylor (former piano student, small business owner in Springfield, MA)
“You're such a kind teacher with a lot of empathy. I really love how meditative and calm your style was. You really do have such a positive impact.”
-Angel B. (former piano student)
-Angel B. (former piano student)
"Working with Sarah is a fully immersive experience, completely embodying music’s three dimensionality. In my coachings with Sarah, she took lead in prioritizing the polygamy of linguistics and creative writing to musical vocabulary, music theory, and rhetoric, with the goal of deepening my overall understanding and affectivity as a performing artist, conduit, and storyteller. Furthermore, Sarah paid close attention to my body as the instrument of my storytelling, discouraging unhealthy tendencies with a catalogue of exercises making space for productive practices to settle. The relationship developed in the practice room (shepherded by Sarah) led to the most liberating performance experiences. It was having Sarah by my side that I was able to alleviate some stage fright and performance anxiety to perform a total of five recitals in less than two years; just as an undergraduate music student. Sarah’s ability to transform music into a living, breathing entity with her countless methodologies, accents the extensive need to work with her. It’s an experience I cherish and am forever grateful for, as through her teachings alone she has proven herself to be a lifetime resource."
-Kareem Mack (former UConn voice coaching student and collaborator, dancer, choreographer, playwright, and poet)
-Kareem Mack (former UConn voice coaching student and collaborator, dancer, choreographer, playwright, and poet)
"I researched local piano teachers for my six-year old for awhile, I wanted someone who could make learning fun and engaging. Sarah exceeded my expectations with her patient, gentle approach. My daughter learned five songs and now plays piano on her own for fun—she constantly asks when her next lesson with Sarah will be! I highly recommend Sarah; she's a natural with children and provided the perfect introduction to piano."
-Sarah (parent of former piano student, marketing professional in Greenfield, MA)
-Sarah (parent of former piano student, marketing professional in Greenfield, MA)