Sarah Barber, MM/BME
With over twenty years of experience as a teacher of singing and a professional classical mezzo soprano, Sarah Barber is one of the most in-demand vocal instructors in the Rocky Mountain Region. Her students, both former and current, are gracing the top Classical, Musical Theatre, and Commercial stages around the globe.
Sarah's extensive teaching resume includes serving on the voice faculties at CU Boulder, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado State University, Front Range Community College, Denver School of the Arts, and the Rocky Mountain Center for Musical Arts. Her experience spans private vocal instruction, audition and acting coaching, conducting ensembles, classroom instruction, and directing stage productions for singers of all ages and abilities. In addition to sustaining a busy performance schedule, Sarah currently teaches at Metropolitan State University of Denver, serves as a Teaching Artist with Central City Opera, and maintains a select private vocal studio in Broomfield, CO.
With a background in both Music Education (BME-Univ. of Northern Iowa) and Vocal Performance (MM-CU Boulder), Sarah offers expert teaching in a positive, welcoming environment. Equally proficient in Classical and CCM pedagogies, she offers technical and musical foundations for students of all ages. Her roster ranges from working Broadway Actors to evolving high-school artists.
For a full performance biography, please visit www.sarahbarber.com.
Affiliations and Certifications
As a member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), Opera America, Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA), and Broomfield Music Teachers Association (BMTA), Sarah is professionally active on both the national and local levels and maintains the highest levels of professionalism, integrity, and proficiency in the vocal arts industry.
In addition to extensive pedagogical training, Sarah has completed coursework in educational psychology, inclusivity in the classroom, and differentiated instruction. She is a certified Youth Mental Health First Aider--one who is trained to recognize the risk factors and warning signs and provide initial support for people experiencing signs or symptoms of mental health issues.
Sarah welcomes and stands in allyship with members of marginalized communities and strives to offer an affirming and inclusive studio environment to all students.
Abbreviated Teaching Philosophy
I teach singing technique and performance practice for all styles of music, spanning the Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) and Classical genres. My teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that each and every singer possesses a unique and valuable instrument. My job is to help students find their natural voice, to understand the function of their body as their instrument, and sing with freedom and expression. I always begin work with the underlying goal of producing healthy, efficient singing. Fundamental technique includes correct posture/alignment, breathing, resonance, placement, and diction. Beginning students will be asked to sing from the classical repertoire as well as their chosen repertoire in order to better develop a technically solid vocal instrument. Emphasis is also placed on musicianship, performance skills, and the psychology of performing. Students are strongly encouraged to seek live performance opportunities. Students are accepted through audition or professional recommendation.
