Sarah Barnett is a music educator and multi-instrumentalist whose lifelong love of music has shaped a career centered on connection, creativity, and community. Growing up in a musical household, Sarah began studying piano at age five and continued exploring new instruments and musical traditions throughout her life. She earned her B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Musicology and Ethnomusicology from the University of California, Davis, where she performed with the UC Davis Early Music Ensemble and University Chorus. Her academic work included research in music therapy and human development, which continues to inform her belief in music’s ability to support learning, healing, and personal growth.
For more than fifteen years, Sarah has shared her passion for music through teaching, performance, and community engagement. She has taught private lessons in piano, guitar, and bass, music theory and composition classes, and youth chorus and rock band. As a performer, she has participated in solo recitals, ensemble performances, musical theater productions, and community music-making across a variety of styles and traditions.
Sarah is excited to return to the Young Artists Conservatory of music, where she previously served as Program Manager for 6 years supporting students, families, faculty, and the broader YACM Community. She is now teaching music theory and private instrument lessons at YACM as well as co-directing a choir at a substance abuse recovery center, where she continues to witness the powerful role music can play in building connection and supporting personal growth.
In her current role as an educator, she brings together her experience as a musician, teacher, and advocate for the transformative power of music. Her teaching philosophy combines strong musical foundations with an individualized approach that honors each student's interests, strengths, and goals. She is passionate about creating an environment where students feel encouraged to follow curiosity, take creative risks, and explore what makes music meaningful to them. Sarah believes music education should be engaging, empowering, and rooted in the joy of discovery, giving every student the tools to grow as both musicians and individuals.
