Sarah is a Vocal Performance Coach who specializes in crafting artistic and meaningful storytelling through Barbershop Harmony. She provides coaching designed to help singers transcend technique to communicate with narrative-driven purpose, so the songs they sing aren’t just heard, they’re felt!

Experience

With a career spanning professional performance, arts education, and competitive barbershop, Sarah brings a rare blend of stage experience, pedagogical insight, and artistic vision to her work.

Her background includes performing at the professional level, directing and developing vocal and theatrical programs, and leading award-winning educational and performance projects. Across these settings, Sarah’s work has consistently centered on one goal: helping performers move beyond technical accuracy into performances that are clear, expressive, and emotionally resonant. Her experience guiding a wide range of performers, from the individual to large-scale, live, televised productions (Two-time EMMY® Award-winning director), has shaped a coaching approach that is tailored to each unique individual person and project, no matter the scope.

As a lifelong barbershop singer and international champion (Dynasty Quartet, SAI 2026), Sarah has deep experience within the Sweet Adelines organization as both a performer and educator. She has coached quartets and choruses, taught at barbershop schools and youth workshops, served in regional education leadership, and supported ensembles at every stage of artistic development. Her work is informed by a strong understanding of performance adjudication, ensemble unity, and the elements that create lasting performance effect.

Sarah holds advanced degrees in vocal performance and music education (NYU, M.M. Vocal Performance: Musical Theatre) and is passionate about helping singers and ensembles bring their music to life.

Career Highlights

Coaching Offerings

Great singing is only the beginning. Transcendent performance happens when sound, story, and intention come together to create something the audience can feel. With over 20 years of experience, I focus on helping singers and ensembles move beyond correct execution into performance that is clear, expressive, and authentic. Whether working with quartets, choruses, or individual singers, the goal is always the same: to bring music to life.

Vocal Coaching

Are you a singer who understands the basics of vocal technique, but want to add more brilliance, color, clarity, and artistic expression to your unique voice? Do you have a performance approaching and would like help with elevating your material to be more compelling? Want to unlock your potential and leave a lasting impression with your audience?

As a vocal coach, I work to blend healthy, free singing with expressive, artistic intention. Beyond basic vocal technique, we will explore how breath, tone, phrasing, physical movement, and word sounds serve storytelling and emotional arc. We’ll focus on connecting all singing and performance elements to your narrative so you can clearly convey character, lyric, and musical expression.

I coach both in-person and virtually and work with singers focused on quartet or chorus singing, solo performance, audition prep, or any other singing goals you may have in mind.

Chorus Coaching

Is your chorus looking to create performances that read clearly and connect emotionally from the risers to the back of the room? Do you want your ensemble to tell a unified story with many voices? Are you a fan of purposeful, lyric-driven movement? Are you preparing for a competition or performance and ready to strengthen artistic unity and performance effect?

I work with choruses to create cohesive, story-driven performances rooted in clear intention and expressive communication. Together, we align musical intent, physicality, and energy so every singer understands their role in the story being told. Rather than adding visual elements without purpose, we focus on characterization and circumstance, ensuring every choice supports the narrative and strengthens audience connection.

I offer chorus coaching for ensembles preparing for competition, convention performances, or shows, with both in-person and virtual options available.

Quartet Coaching

Is your quartet looking to level up this year in competition? Have you established your core sound, and are ready to hone your craft as artful storytellers and performers?

With quartets, I focus on clarifying the story and aligning intention across all four singers. We identify the circumstance and lyric driven narrative of each song and shape performance choices that create unity, expression, and purpose. The goal is a quartet that communicates as one artistic voice, where every singer plays a vital role in the story being told.

I love working with quartets who are preparing for competition, shows, or any other special project and am happy to meet either in-person or virtually.

Educational Classes & Workshops

Seeking fun, engaging, and comprehensive classes for your next educational event that will have your members immersed in hands-on learning activities that focus on performance?

As a seasoned educator, I design classes with student interaction as the foundation. Through experiential learning, we explore how artistic intention, storytelling, and visual communication influence audience connection. Classes focus on making clear, expressive choices that align voice, body, and mind, so performers understand not just what to do, but why.

I offer these classes as standalone sessions or multi-class tracks and work with quartets, choruses, directors, section leaders, educators, and singers of all levels.

Entertainment Package Development

Entertainment packages can be tricky to plan, especially with so many moving parts and personalities in the mix. Are you looking to create a performance experience that connects deeply with an audience? Perhaps one that’s more comedic? Likely a bit of both, and certainly one that leaves a lasting impression!

I can help! Through intentional design, we’ll explore story arc, characterization, music, dialogue, pacing, costumes, props, scenic design, and so much more, so every musical and visual element supports the message being shared and enhances the whole.

I am extremely passionate about working with quartets and choruses who are preparing for competitions or shows in this area, and offer both in-person and virtual options.

Costume Plot Design

Costume design is a powerful storytelling tool! Do you want visual choices that support your artistic vision while still honoring each performer’s individuality? Are you ready to move beyond default uniformity and into purposeful, visual storytelling? Do you want your performers to feel great in what they wear?

I work with ensembles to create costume style guides which allow their members to choose their own look based on given color palettes, fabrics, designated eras, hair styles, make-up styles, and more. This highlight’s each individual’s unique features while maintaining unity!

I absolutely adore working on these style guides with quartets and choruses, and am available for both in-person and virtual collaboration.

Youth Camp/Workshop Clinician

Are you seeking an engaging and experienced music educator that empowers young performers to share their unique voices through the art of Barbershop?

I am deeply passionate about creating fun, interactive, and educational sessions that introduce young singers to barbershop that leave them feeling confident in their vocal skills, performance abilities, and most importantly, themselves. Students learn how to musically communicate character, emotion, and intention, and how vocal skills and physical expression work together to bring their songs to life. Although the curriculum is music, much of my focus is connection, ensuring students make strong bonds with one another, countless memories, and hopefully a new passion for Barbershop that will last a lifetime.

I am available for in-person events and love working with students of all ages. Let’s collaborate so we can spread the joy of Barbershop Harmony to our youth!

Custom Projects & Specialized Support

Are you developing a new project? Have a unique performance or leadership challenge and looking for individualized support? Do you want guidance that is shaped around your vision?

As a performance coach and artistic consultant, I offer bespoke artistic support tailored to the specific needs of ensembles, organizations, and individuals. Whether you’re developing a special performance, refining a specific artistic challenge, in need of creative leadership ideas, or exploring a new direction, this offering allows us to shape the work around your vision. Projects may include artistic consultation, performance design support, storytelling development, visual or interpretive guidance, or other creative collaborations that bring clarity, cohesion, and connection to your performance, leadership, or brand.

If you have an idea, a question, or a project that doesn’t quite fit elsewhere, this is an invitation to start the conversation and create something intentional that works best for you.