Biography
Praised by the Washington Post for her “marvelous violin acrobatics”, violinist Sarah Whitney is celebrated for her musical versatility and fierce innovation in the classical music world. She is recognized as a successful performer, teacher, speaker, and Career Coach for Musicians. Sarah has appeared on stages worldwide as a soloist and collaborative artist throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Africa and is fiercely dedicated to bringing fresh new ideas to classical music and empowering musicians to thrive.
As former founding member and violinist of the NYC-based string quintet SYBARITE5, Sarah performed over 800 concerts around the world, including world premiers by Dan Visconti, Andy Akiho, Michael Gilbertson, Kenji Bunch, Daniel Bernard Romain, among others. SYBARITE5, who had three albums reach the top ten on the Billboard Charts, was the first string quintet to win the Concert Artists Guild Competition and performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Alice Tully Hall, the Library of Congress, the Aspen, Caramoor, Chautauqua, Grand Teton and Ravinia Festivals. SYBARITE5 also premiered the first-ever Concerto for String Quintet & Orchestra with the South Carolina Philharmonic, Midland Symphony Orchestra, and Duluth-Superior Orchestra.
In 2015, Sarah founded Beyond the Notes, an innovative concert series that breaks down the boundaries between the audience and the performers. Entering its ninth season of successful concerts, Beyond the Notes presents concerts around the country in partnership with performing organizations as well as concerts in the greater Boston area. During the pandemic, Sarah created Beyond the Notes Minis which are COVID-friendly concerts presented virtually or outdoors that highlight the works of Black composers and raise money for social justice.
Sarah joined the Longy School of Music faculty in 2021 and, in addition to teaching violin, she also teaches entrepreneurship and teaching artistry classes at Longy. She has also been on the faculty at Denison University and various summer music festivals such as the Trentino Music Festival and Oficina de Música de Curitiba. Sarah frequently gives guest workshops and masterclasses around the country, including at the Curtis Institute, The Juilliard School, the New England Conservatory, Rice University, and the University of Michigan, among others.
As a Career Coach for musicians, Sarah helps busy, high-level professional musicians reach new career highs where massive artistic fulfillment and joy take the front seat. With her unique mix of mindset strategy and business savvy, she’s helped countless musicians reach new career highs without burning out. Sarah’s writing is featured regularly in Strings Magazine and her widely-read blog The Productive Musician focuses on the secrets of the music business that musicians need in order to thrive.
B.M., with honors, University of Michigan
M.M & Professional Studies Degree, Cleveland Institue of Music
Student of William Preucil (former concertmaster Cleveland Orchestra, protégé of Joseph Gingold), Paul Kantor (protégé of Dorothy Delay) Kathleen Winkler (1st Prize Carl Nielsen International Violin Competition) Cyrus Forough (protégé of David Oistrakh & Joseph Gingold, prize winner of the Tchaikovsky International Competition), Aaron Berofsky (protégé of Dorothy Delay).
Teaching Philosophy
I focus on recognizing each student’s unique strengths and creating an environment that helps their talent and skill reach their full potential. My teaching balances technical rigor with artistic individuality, ensuring students feel supported and confident as they develop their distinctive musical voice. I also value giving students the space to absorb and integrate concepts independently, understanding that meaningful growth often occurs when they have time to process deeply. Through this holistic approach, I aim to cultivate sought-after artists with exceptional ideas, technical mastery, and the resilience to succeed in a demanding field. As a teacher, I guide students in cultivating strategic curiosity and equipping them with the problem-solving tools they need to thrive as both artists and professionals. Inspired by my mentor Paul Kantor’s wisdom—that a teacher’s role is to prepare students to teach themselves—I emphasize independence, empowering students to navigate challenges long after their formal studies. I approach technical development through the lens of musical intention, ensuring that technique seamlessly supports artistic expression. By fostering efficient practice habits, encouraging mindful use of the body to minimize tension, and focusing on intentionality, I help students achieve both ease and artistry in their playing.