Scrapbook of Sara’s Story

“great practicing makes excellent music, great practices make musicians excellent people.”
- Sara Brown

For anyone wanting to move to Texas, let me warn you: it is hot. How do I know? I was born there. Right in the center—in the capital—in Austin.

From a young age I always loved music and thought I would be a singer. Alas, my mother said I would be an oboe player and just like everything else she says, she was right. Starting the summer of fifth grade I started playing oboe and was grown through private lessons and the Texas Public Music Education system. And the rest is history…

Sort of.

I doubted myself and my worth a lot all throughout grade school. Joining band was the start of an incredible and enriching journey. Not only was it an outlet to express all that I was thinking and feeling when words failed, but it brought me into a community that believed in me and cared for me. I have no doubt that the person I grew up to be is a direct result of the wonderful people I met in this world of music.

My love for music never ended and to this day, when I wake up, all I want is to listen to, or make music.

I attended the University of Texas at Austin, studying with the extraordinary Dr. Andrew Parker who taught me refined artistry in my oboe playing but also taught me the importance of being a good person regardless of what I do. His teachings and philosophies continue to ground me and shape my viewpoints as a performer and teacher.

I now attend the Cleveland Institute of Music under the tutelage of Frank Rosenwein, a genius in every sense of the word when it comes to his oboe playing. I am also blessed to be one of the Artist-in-Residence at Judson Manor. With everything I am taught, I plan to be a part of a professional orchestra and one day play the piece of music that made me choose music all those years ago: the How to Train Your Dragon film score. Even if that dream never comes true, I truly believe I am living a greater dream which is the opportunity to gift those around me with one of God’s greatest blessings to man: music.

Faith fuels everything

“Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

Yes! That is a very large close-up of my left hand and a team member’s hand when we visited Stonehenge during a mission trip in London.

I made the personal decision to dedicate my life to Jesus Christ when I was eight-years-old. I knew from a young age and still know now that I am not perfect. Yet God loves me. He is holy, perfect, and divine. Because he is these things in their truest and purest forms, he cannot be around my imperfections. The consequence: separation from Him. He who my heart was made for, He who created mankind simply because he wanted us to be loved by Him. And I could not cross the separation that my sins and the sins of those before me made. So He did. For all of us. Jesus lived perfectly, was innocent but accused and crucified, and even then he still rose again. I believe he lived, I believe he died, I believe he came back to life, and I know he did it all for each of our sakes.

Life is not without suffering since following Jesus. I am not so idealistic to think that believing in Jesus and following his commandments will magically make my life better. But my life is better by following Jesus and his commandments because even when the practice room is empty, I am not alone. When I am in a reed or practice slump and all the doubts and insecurities creep in, the God who created me reminds me of my worth. And when it is a rough day, my sound is off, the oboe feels foreign, and I am worried I am unable to offer this world anything of value, I cling to the one truth that led me to give my whole life to Christ: God loves me, and you, and everyone, and that is all I ever needed and it’s more than I could ever want. For all of these reasons and more, it is my honor and delight to dedicate the very gift He gave me and every use of it to Him.

High School in one word?

Marching Band. (and TMEA All-State

“To all those who enter, you are subject to the relentless refining process of music through uncompromising standards.”
- Bruce Dinkins

My years in a competitive marching band taught me the value of hard-work, leadership, dedication and above all, how to funciton while being severely sleep deprived. Just kidding! Jokes aside, marching band was a wonderful time and I learned how important education was… having someone believe in me (my grade school band directors) changed and shaped my belief in myself. My years being drum major of such an intentional and refined ensemble has grown my passion for teaching and learning to be a more effective and inspiring teacher.

Workin’ 9 to 5 She’s NON-STOP

“Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen…”

Throughout high school and my undergrad, I wore many hats working many jobs that helped me pursue music and keep the stress of sufficient funds out of my musicianship. This has helped me to also gain many other skills outside of just playing oboe. Here are some of the most recent jobs I have worked or are currently working outside of oboe performance and music-affiliated jobs.

Current Jobs

An all-day camp for neurodivergent young adults. I help promote improved living skills and relevant social skills.
I work in the kitchens helping design and bake the wonderful confections at this professional desserts boutique.
I work in the music library at the Cleveland Institute of Music re-shelving, assist with research and help students and faculty navigate the many different library resources.

Previous Jobs

I worked as an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) to implement the behavioral plans of my BCBA supervisors. Together we worked to improve the quality of lives for clients affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.
This is an Asian bakery-cafe and I worked mostly as a barista, preparing drinks but was able to utilize some of my baking and cake decorating skills in the kitchen as well.
During the summer, Marbridge hosts a summer camp for adults ages 16+, including seniors. I worked as a camp counselor for participants with ASD, Williams Syndrome, Down Syndrome and other neurological disabilities.

Certificates include RBT License, CPR and First Aid Certifcation and Food Handlers License

Music is more than just notes on a page. Life is more than just music. Here’s a sneak peak into my life outside of music.

My best friend and number one fan: Caitlin Richardson

Walt Disney presents… My Cats.

Binx (named after the cat in Hocus Pocus)

Mor’du (named after the demon bear in Brave)

These are the most important mammals in my life. If you get to know me, I will talk about these folk a lot. The cats haven’t said a bad word about my playing yet. And Caitlin, though on the fast track to become a doctor, inspires me every day to be better than I was the day before.

Classic(al) Nerd

I am that person that has a DVD collection. When the WiFi goes down, I will have the final laugh… in all seriousness, I love movies, books, and film scores. Outside of music that is how I spend my time.

As a matter of fact, I did carve this pumpkin. And I am severely obsessed with Toothless the dragon and everything How to Train Your Dragon

Remember Barbenheimer? I found a recreational use for my concert black.

In summary, I love movies, TV shows and 90% of the phrases I say are direct quotes or references to one or the other. I also love reading, but I can’t read and reed.