at the age of 5. She began on piano with
Suzuki method – a method which
encourages music training at an early age by
having the students listen to and mimick the
teacher. When Sarah was 10, she received
special recognition as the Baldwin Spotlight
Music Student of Western Nebraska. She
was principal flutist in Scottsbluff Senior
High School’s Wind Ensemble and often
performed with the Western Nebraska
Winds, Scottsbluff community's collegiate
band.
At the age of 12, Sarah started harp
lessons. She studied with Jeanene Gage of
Greeley, Colorado. She received many
prestigious honors such as Nebraska All-
State Band and Orchestra, Western States
Honor Orchestra, Superior ratings in
Western Nebraska district music
competitions, and the regional winner of
Kiwanis Club's Stars of Tomorrow. Sarah
was chosen from a number of applicants by
the University of Nebraska for the Nebraska
Young Artist Award for music in 2000.
a pupil of Elizabeth Cifani, principal harpist of the Chicago Lyric Opera. During her studies at Northwestern, she
performed with the University’s Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Wind
Ensemble, and various chamber groups.
Other instructors Sarah has studied with include Dr. Nan Gullo-Richmond, senior associate of harp at Eastman
School of Music’s Community Education Division, and Dr. Kathy B. Moore, professor of harp and music theory at
University of Northern Colorado.
One of the highlights of Sarah's career thus far has been performing “Under Gypsy Skies,” an original composition
by Dr. Donald Hunsberger. Dr. Hunsberger conducted the performance himself, and it can be found on the 2004
album “Carmen Fantasia: The Music of Donald Hunsberger.” Other highlights include performing for the
Scottsbluff/Gering Chamber of Commerce (Nebraska); Evanston’s Chamber of Commerce (Illinois); Northwestern
University Student of Affairs; National Gathering 2000 Conference for United Methodist Women; Pinnacle Bank of
Torrington, Wyoming; Platte Valley National Bank of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and two former Governors of
Nebraska.
