About Sarah, The Meditative Flutist
Music Training
From 1992 to 2023, I served as the Executive Director of a community school for the arts in Worcester, Massachusetts. Although I continued to play during my years in administration, I now have the time to return to playing the flute with greater focus and intent.
EDUCATION
B.A. Degree in Music (Performance and Education), Summa Cum Laude,
Eastern Nazarene College.
Winner of the annual College Concerto Competition (senior year).
FLUTE STUDIES
Primary Teacher:
- Virginia Sindelar – Julliard Graduate and student of Julius Baker.
Additional studies with:
- Julius Baker, as a participant in
The Bowdoin Summer (now International) Music Festival. - Louis Schaffer, Boston Symphony Orchestra.
- Christopher Hyde Smith, Royal College of Music, London, UK
Experience
As Ensemble Member
Current:
- Flute, Worcester Winds. A dectet of music professionals and teachers from the Central Massachusetts and Rhode Island areas.
Prior Orchestral Experience (all in Massachusetts):
- The Quincy Symphony
- Plymouth Philharmonic
- Marlborough Symphony
- Northeastern University Symphony
Additional Experience:
Waltham Summer Theatre/ The Reagle Players (under Noreen Diamond Burdett)
As Soloist
Concerts
The New England Flute Duo, with Virginia Sindelar:
- Quincy Historical Society
- First Congregational Church, Shrewsbury
- Pakachoag Music School, Auburn
- United First Parish Church, Quincy
- Music at the Academy, Milton
As Soloist, with piano or classical guitar and colleagues:
- Beechwood Community Life Center, Quincy
- Northbridge and Auburn Senior Centers
- Eastern Nazarene College (Alumni Music Series)
- Pakachoag Music School, Auburn
For Church Services
Church Services, Featured Soloist
- Park Street Church, Boston
- First Congregational Church, Shrewsbury, MA (with Malcolm Halliday)
- Emanuel Lutheran, Worcester
- United First Parish Church, Quincy
- First Parish Unitarian, Milton, MA
- St. John’s Church, Worcester, MA
- United Congregational Church, Worcester
- Holy Trinity (German) Catholic Church, Boston
- First Church of Squantum, Quincy
- First Congregational Church, Braintree
- Pilgrim Congregational Church, Weymouth
- South Baptist Church, South Boston
- The First Baptist Church, Wollaston, MA
- Calvary Baptist Church, Hanson, MA
- Assembly of God, Brockton
- Faith Lutheran Church, Quincy
- All Souls Church of Braintree
- Bethany Congregational Church, Wollaston
- Wollaston Church of the Nazarene
- West Boylston Congregational Church
My Story
The Captivating Sparkle
Part 1: It Looked So Special
I first laid eyes on a flute when I was about eight years old in the assembly hall of Bishop Bell School in Crawley, Sussex, UK. A small group of students, myself included, who played the recorder, had gathered informally after school around the piano. We were playing our recorders and chatting when a student about two years older than me said to the group, “Look what I have.” She opened a small music case, and there sat a shiny silver flute. I thought to myself, “Wow, I want to learn how to play that!”
Two years later, my family emigrated to the US, but I had not forgotten the sparkle of that flute. Fast forward about another year, and in sixth grade in Norwood, MA, we were invited to choose an instrument to play in the school band. I initially told my parents I would play the violin since we had one at home that my sister played. I knew money was tight, but my parents asked, “Well, if we could afford to buy any instrument, what would you choose?” I replied, “FLUTE!” They agreed and said, “Okay, we’ll sign up to rent an instrument.” I was on my way!
*While I must have heard the sound of a flute before this encounter, it was seeing all the keys, rods, springs, and shiny silver that intrigued me. It Looked So Special
Being Good at Something
Part 2: We all Need Something We Can Hold Tight
I was an ok student in school but I probably had a few learning challenges (nobody paid much attention decades back). Nothing seemed to come easily, except playing the flute. My music teachers (we lived during these years on the South Shore, south of Boston) encouraged me and arranged for private lessons starting in Middle School. Practicing regularly was hard but the flute became my special thing. I was on my way.
Is Being 'Good' Good Enough?
Part 3: To Flute or Not To Flute, for Vocation or Avocation?
When it came time for college, I was uncertain about my ability to complete a degree, as no one in my family had done so before. I wondered if I could keep up and meet expectations. Then the nagging question: Should I choose a path that would ensure a financially independent future, or should I pursue what I love, regardless of the future?
In the end, flute playing triumphed. My high school flute teacher introduced me to a talented flutist and college instructor named Virginia Sindelar, who lived near the college my parents had chosen for me. Virginia kindly agreed to teach me, and I invested a lot of time in practice, which led to significant learning. I discovered not only the art of playing the flute and the vast world of classical music, but also learned valuable life lessons.
I love listening to great music, exploring, practicing, and sharing music as well. However, I do not enjoy performing solo concerts. I play much better when I’m not the sole focus of attention. Which has led me to….
Now, Part 4: The Meditative Flutist
Welcome to this Meditative Flutist. I find that I am most happy when I can play beautiful flute music in a peaceful setting where the music can enhance a listener’s non-musical experience. As I move through life, I am happy to play as part of a larger ensemble or to share music, quietly. Not all my music is “quiet” but it is played with a desire to foster peacefulness in a world that is sometimes too noisy. I now play a 9k gold Burkart Flute with a Flute Makers of Australia gold head joint.