As a music performer and teacher, Sarah teaches basic vocal technique and encourage musicians and students of all ages to discover and develop their individual and unique voice.
Biography:
Born and raised in Chatham, Ontario, Sarah Ripley holds an MA from Carleton University, an Honours Bachelor of Music from the University of Saskatchewan, where she studied voice and musicology, and a Diploma in Event Management from Algonquin College. For several years, as co-founder of H.a.R.p (Hoffman and Ripley Productions), Sarah coordinated events that promoted local artists in the Ottawa area. She began voice lessons at an early age, studying with Janet Wake in Chatham, and later under the tutelage of Garry Gable (University of Saskatchewan), Susan Young (University of Victoria), Catherine McKeever (University of Windsor) and soprano Shawne Elizabeth. Her MA research essay, entitled Reflections, is the first to recover the life and music of Saskatchewan composer Marjorie Kisbey Hicks. A member of the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Sarah maintains an active voice studio. She has held several church music positions and currently sings with Voces Cathedrale at Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa. Sarah is the Editorial Advisor for Touching the Spirit and Norman King (Folktale Interpretations). Her recent performances include the In the Key of 3 Concert, the Music at Greenboro series, the Savoyards in Song, the Voices of Hope fundraising concert and most recently in OperOttawa’s performance of Messiah and An Evening of Franz Schubert.
Here’s what others have said about Sarah on her teaching and performances:
“Sarah and I performed together a number of years ago and I can attest to her wonderful artistic performance! She is also a lovely lady and I would highly recommend her as a voice teacher”. Evelyn Osborne, Violin teacher, Early Childhood General Music Teacher, St. John’s, Newfoundland.
“After seeing Ms. Ripley perform a few years back at a charity concert, I was completely blown away by her voice and stage presence. If you are a student of Ms. Ripley’s you are very fortunate”! Valerie Hoffman, Photographer and Arts Advocate, Ottawa.
“Sarah is an A++ music teacher. My son adores her and loves her music class and all of the fun learning techniques. We highly recommend Sarah for vocal lessons”
Soprano Sarah Ripley sang the tricky Ebben?…Ne andro lontano (la Wally) with feeling” National Capital Opera Society Newsletter, Winter 2020