Sarah Bernard-Stevens
Bassoon
Has played with the Salina Symphony since:
2007
Hometown: Alliance, NE
Current City: Junction City, KS
Education:
Bachelors of Music Education and Bachelors of Arts in Russian Language – The University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Masters in Instrumental Conducting from Kansas State University
Job Title:
Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Bands/Bassoon Instructor – Kansas Wesleyan University
Earliest musical memory:
Playing the recorder for my Dad on family camping trips.
Best part of being a Salina Symphony musician:
One of my strongest feelings about music education is that it should give students the skills and desire to continue to perform music beyond high school. I am proud to be a part of this group because it shows that there are musical outlets for performance beyond school. It shows that music is a life-long experience.
Most memorable performance with the Salina Symphony:
Performing Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story or performing the first movement from my husband’s Symphony. Both pieces allowed the orchestra to go outside of its comfort zone which only made us better musicians.
Favorite composers:
I adore any of the great Russian composers (I may be biased since I was a Russian major).
What kind of music do you enjoy listening to?
I can’t even begin to try to categorize my eclectic collection of music. I listen to everything from Classical to Lady Gaga to Symphonic Metal…
How do you spend your free time?
I enjoyed cooking, knitting, and watching movies with my husband.
Whom do you admire?
I admire anyone who doesn’t give up on their dream. I know this sounds cheesy, but it’s way too easy to get bogged down by life and to lose track of the direction we want our lives to go. I admire those who value hard work and who can fight through what life throws at them to do what they love.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
My greatest accomplishment will be watching my students at Wesleyan go off into the world and become music teachers. My life was impacted by a music teacher and I look forward to them making a difference in the lives of their students. Their success completes the circle for me.