Sarah began studying Irish music and dancing in 1992 under Helen Gannon at the St. Louis Irish Arts school. As a young person, she learned from flute players Kevin Crawford, Eamonn Cotter, and Siobhan Ni Chonarain, and was influenced by fiddle players Niall Gannon and Andrew O'Brien; harpists Tracy Fleming and Eileen Gannon; and uilleann piper Tommy Martin.
Sarah was classically trained on the concert flute by Dianne Kirkland from 1993-2003, and by professor Paula Kasica in 2003-04. Reared on the Suzuki method, she covered extensive repertoires as a member of the 2004 and 2005 Missouri All-State Concert Bands; a four-year member of the St. Louis All-Suburban Band; and principal flute at Lafayette High School, St. Joseph and St. Francis Xavier liturgical choirs.
Music has taken Sarah around the world, from Missouri to Ireland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, China and across the USA. Highlights include performing at the 1999 Congressional Award Gala for the U.S. Congress; launching the Comhaltas Digital Archives for taoiseach Brian Cowen; performing at the 2010 World’s Fair Expo in Shanghai; and opening for groups such as Lunasa, The Chieftains, Cherish the Ladies, and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
Sarah earned several regional titles in Irish flute, whistle and ensemble from 1995 onward; co-arranged the 2004 All-Ireland winning Grupai Cheoil ensemble; and placed in the 2009 All-Ireland Senior Tin Whistle. Her compositions are featured on the St. Louis Irish Arts discography, a television episode of While You Were Out, and a bespoke composition for the Comhaltas Hall of Fame. Sarah is a two-time receipt of of the Missouri Traditional Arts grant, and 2009-10 recipient of the Saint Louis University Music Talent Scholarship.
Sarah has taught flute, whistle and ensemble classes for the Mullingar, Beaumont and Paidi Ban O'Brion branches of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, after teaching 10 years with St. Louis Irish Arts. She is studying for the Higher Diploma in Music Education with Griffith College Dublin, Leinster School of Music & Drama.