Resume

EXPERIENCE

Owner, Lark Ascending Violin Studio, Southern California 1998-Present

  • Teaching all ages and all abilities, from child to adult, violin performance technique, music theory and history, and musicianship. Lessons are based upon the Suzuki Violin School teaching ideals, yet are tailored to the individual needs of each student. Student recitals and workshops have been and continue to be offered. Students of this studio have won youth ensemble auditions and school performance honors.

Private Violin Instructor, Rowland Music Store, Rowland Heights, CA 2005-Present

  • Teaching private lessons in violin performance technique, music theory and history, and musicianship to students ages 6 to adult. Supervisor: Shirley Zhang.

Violin Instructor, Claremont Community School of Music, Claremont, CA 2005-Present

  • Teaching private lessons in violin performance technique, music theory and history, and musicianship, and teaching Suzuki group violin classes. Supervisor: Christopher Maddok.

Violin Instructor, Academy of Music, Upland and Rancho Cucamonga, CA 2005-2007

  • Teaching Suzuki-style group violin classes, general music classes for infants and toddlers, and private violin lessons to children ages 2 to 14. Supervisor: Heidi Loo.

Violin Faculty Chamber Music Coach, Chamber Music Institute of Southern California 2006

  • Coaching and instructing young string quartets in performance of the Classical literature.

Freelance Composer and Arranger, Southern California 1994-Present

  • 39 original compositions and arrangements
  • Contracted musicians to perform select compositions and arrangements in Laguna Beach and Orange County areas for the Millennium Concert Series. Director of concert series: Jeffrey Briar (2003-2004)
  • Several compositions and arrangements have also been featured in concerts at California Polytechnic University in Pomona and other community venues across Southern California.

Freelance Performing Violinist, Southern California 1992-Present

  • Performing both solo and with various chamber ensembles and orchestras in Southern California.
  • Contracted solo and chamber events include weddings, funerals, receptions, formal banquets, grand opening ceremonies for private businesses, elegant parties, private home entertainment, and strolling violinist in restaurants.
  • A regular performer since 1995 with string quartets, trios, and duos of the Chamber Music Institute of Southern California.
  • Orchestral positions include:
    • Concertmaster of the Cal Poly String Ensemble in Pomona (2003-2006)
    • Concertmaster, first violin, and second violin for the Praise Symphony Orchestra in Santa Ana (1994-2003)
    • First violin with hired pit orchestras in choral and dramatic performances (1998-present)
    • Assistant principal second violin with the Saddleback Community Orchestra in Mission Viejo (1998-1999)
  • Other notable performance opportunities include:
    • Performance and improvisation on electric violin with the Cal Poly MIDI Band (2003-2006).
    • First violin with a studio orchestra in Los Angeles, recording an original score by George Shaw for the short film, Perfect Sec-Illusion (2003)
    • Fiddler with the adult contemporary/folk band of Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, CA (1995-1996)
    • First violin with the Los Angeles Suzuki group under Joseph Dominic, performing for the televised Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (c.1994)
    • Second violin of selected string groups, each to accompany in concert Christian popular artists such as Twila Paris and Michael Card.

Instructor, Conductor, Arranger, Building Character through Music Youth Ensemble and Music Program, Garden Grove, CA 2001-2002

  • Taught classes in violin technique, and conducted and composed original arrangements for the Ensemble of strings, woodwinds, and brass. Supervisor: Dr. Binh Ton Vu.

Performing Member of the U.S. Continental Ministries 1999-2002

  • Assistant Director, first soprano, and violinist for the Frontline spring tour production, Live It Up (2002). Performance skills included vocal, violin, and dance techniques. An original fiddle composition was featured during the program. Major tour responsibility included tour leadership and vocal and choreography coaching. Performed nightly, across the United States, Spain, Greece, and Italy.
  • Choreography instructor for Frontline fall tour in 2001.
  • First soprano and violinist for the Frontline spring tour production, 2001: A Grace Odyssey (2001). Performance skills included vocal, violin, and dance techniques. Major tour responsibility included public relations and organized scheduling with performance and housing sites for all locations along tour. Performed nightly, across the United States, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, France, and Spain.
  • First soprano and violinist for the Frontline spring tour production, Testify 2 Truth (2000). Performance skills included vocal, violin, and dance techniques. Major tour responsibility included one-on-one counseling and coordination of subordinate counselors. Performed nightly, across the United States, Holland, Germany, Belgium, France, and Spain.
  • First soprano cast member in the musical production, David: A Man After God’s Own Heart by Cam Floria (1999). Performance skills included vocal, miming, and dramatic techniques. Performed nightly, across the United States, Hungary, Slovakia, Germany, and Austria.

Music Instructor, Primanti Montessori School, Orange, CA c.2000

  • Taught weekly Suzuki group violin classes, and private lessons in violin, piano, and voice. Assembled a year-end holiday recital for all of Primanti Montessori’s music students and the students of the Lark Ascending Violin Studio, held at Calvary Church in Santa Ana, CA. Supervisor: Lucia Tompkins.

DISCOGRAPHY

  • Rejoice! with the Praise Symphony Orchestra (2001)
  • Good News! Great Joy! with the Praise Symphony Orchestra (2003)
  • Lo’u Tama e (CD/DVD) with the ASCC Concert Choir (2004)
  • An Eclectic Evening with Lori Huff and associates (2005)
  • A Personal Echo: Original Compositions by Sarah Wallin (2006)

EDUCATION

  • In progress: Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA M.A. Music Composition
  • California Polytechnic University, Pomona, CAB.A. Music Education, 2006
  • Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley, CA A.A. Music
  • Violin Study: 2 years public school, 15 years private instruction. Teachers include Helen Weed, Annette Brower, Anna-Maria Maldonado, Kay Pech, and Anne Rardin (Baroque technique).

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Suzuki Institute, Levels 1A and 1B (Pre-Twinkle and Twinkle) 2002

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Graduation Honors: Summa Cum Laude 2006
  • Dean’s List, Cal Poly, Pomona 2003-2006
  • Cal Poly, Pomona Music Department Scholarship winner 2003-2006
  • BMI John Lennon Songwriting Competition State Finalist 2003
  • Disneyland Creativity Challenge Finalist (Composition) c.1993

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA)
  • Suzuki Music Association of California, Los Angeles (SMAC/LA)
  • American String Teachers Association with the National School Orchestra Association (ASTA with NSOA)
  • Music Educators National Conference (MENC)
  • Chamber Music Institute of Southern California (CMI/SC).

Sarah Wallin

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Contact Sarah Wallin at sjwa…@gmail.com .