Hello, I'm Sarah Cole
As a dedicated violin and viola teacher with 20 years of experience in private studio instruction, I am passionate about nurturing the next generation of musicians. I strive to create a supportive and innovative environment that challenges each student to reach their full potential.
Photo by Michael Chernoff
​
​
​Sarah spent over 8 years studying violin performance at conservatories earning three degrees in violin performance and pedagogy from well-respected institutions, including the University of Louisville, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, Wales, U.K., and Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music.
​
Sarah’s passion for violin has taken her around the world, having performed violin in events such as a private gala for HRH King Charles at Buckingham Palace, the National Theatre of Costa Rica, and recitals at the Lincoln Cathedral in England.
Sarah's students regularly achieve perfect scores on NYSSMA competitions, perform multiple recitals a year, graduate and go on to attend Ivy League universities (Most recent being MIT, Harvard, University of Chicago)
​
Why study with Sarah?
Student success
Sarah's teaching methods reliably create joyful and accomplished students.
Her students take part in events like All County, NYSSMA, and Youth Orchestras.
Graduates of her studio have successfully entered music colleges and Ivy League universities.
Performances
Sarah's studio provides consistent public performance opportunities for her students. Every student takes part in two recitals each year, along with additional performance opportunities throughout the year.
Experience
For the past twenty years, Sarah has been providing violin lessons to her community.
In addition to her extensive experience high-level undergraduate and graduate students, she has also spent decades teaching young school-aged children.
Community
Sarah’s students take weekly lessons, monthly classes and, year-end celebrations.
In these supportive group classes, students work together according to their skill levels to develop new talents and inspire one another.
Adaptability
Sarah enjoys teaching students with diverse learning styles. Recognizing that each student is unique, she skillfully adjusts her teaching approaches to ensure that everyone feels acknowledged and is making strides towards their goals with the instrument.
Unique workshops
Sarah regularly arranges skill-focused workshops for her students year-round, inviting her colleagues to lead sessions in composition, fiddle music and improvisation.
Sarah offers lessons for children aged 4 and up, as well as adult students.
Enrollment is open all year round!
Photo: Andrea Wenglowskyj
Testimonials from parents of students:
​
"Ms. Cole exercises a unique approach based on each individual child’s abilities and/or ambitions. ​
Her love for music inspires young musicians to do better. Frequent performances in front of an audience (with an accompanist) boost kids’ confidence. ​
My daughter, who plays viola, progressed quickly in two short years she’s been taking lessons with Ms Cole. ​
A warm atmosphere of the studio is welcoming to kids and parents alike. We love being a part of Ms Cole’s musical family!"
- I. A.
"Ms. Cole is fantastic! She is very professional and well-organized.
She has a wonderful way of working with my daughter to teach her technique and help her learn the foundations of music and playing violin.
She has really connected with my daughter and is helping her reach the next level. I'm so glad I found Ms. Cole!"
-S. J.
"Ms. Cole is an incredible musician, and wonderful teacher. Our daughter has been taking lessons for just under a year now, and her progress is remarkable.
​
Ms. Cole's teaching methods and the energy she brings to every one of her lessons goes a long way in inspiring good practice habits for her students, and keeps the lessons structured, but also fun.
​
My wife and I were so impressed to see that Ms. Cole organizes regular recitals for her students, to build early performance confidence - something that we as young musicians with private instructors never had exposure to until much later in life.
​
I know for sure that our daughter is getting the most out of her private violin instruction, and it means so much to us that she's having so much fun with it as well."
-E. W.
"My son has been taking violin lessons for a little over a year now from Sarah. When we started we had no idea just how happy we would be.
Mrs. Cole has exceeded our expectations it’s her ability to connect with students as well and teach them. She never makes the student feel inferior or distant.
She’s very good about challenging them appropriately based on ability.
​
She encourages curiosity and uses lots of positive reinforcement. There are a number of extras that come with being a student of Ms. Cole’s Including twice a year recitals, holiday festivities, occasional tickets to the BPO, cameos from her adorable mini chihuahua, and an artist with character, personality, and perfect pitch.
You get the total package with Mrs. Cole. Organized, efficient, and fair. She must love what she does because she goes the extra mile for her pupils."
- A. L.
"We are so grateful that our found Ms. Cole's studio!
Our daughter has grown tremendously in her technical skills and most importantly her love of playing the viola.
​
Sarah is a gifted teacher who cares for her students and is a delight for parents to work with as well."
- L. W.
"Ms. Cole is phenomenal.
We are very impressed with her patience and ability to teach music while making the experience enjoyable and significant for our daughter.
Our daughter began at 6 years old and within a very small timeframe is already reading music and playing songs. We highly recommend Ms. Cole."
- J. G.
"Mrs. Cole is a wonderful violin teacher!
She is a talented violinist and a very patient, kind, flexible and knowledgeable instructor.
She knows how to individualize instruction to achieve success. I would recommend Mrs. Cole for a student of any age or ability!"
- R. R.
"My 13-year-old daughter started with Mrs. Cole (as a beginner) 3 years ago. Mrs. Cole has been patient, and kind, and relates well with my daughter (tween/teen).
As a music instructor myself, I appreciate her methodical approach to teaching, each skill building on the next.
Her expertise and professionalism as a teacher is evident when I hear the performances of students she produces from within her studio. Highly recommend!"
- K. J.
"Ms. Cole is a wonderful teacher for our son. She lets him be silly while pushing him to do his best.
You can tell she creates a perfect balance for all of her students, as we get to witness how much each of them have progressed at each recital.
Speaking of the recitals, Ms. Cole puts in an incredible amount of effort to make the experience memorable for both her students and the parents. We were very fortunate to find her."
- J. P.
"As others have emphasized Sarah Cole is a gifted musician and teacher.
Her delightful and welcoming studio exudes a life dedicated to the exploration of the world of music.
In her lessons, she performs the magic trick of being at once challenging, rigorous, patient, and kind. She is always eager to help students find their own relationship to the many dimensions of violin practice.
Our daughter, who had never touched a violin before her lessons with Ms. Cole, has learned a huge amount in a short time."
-S. M.
