Enrollment currently closed - 〰️ Sign up here to be notified when doors open for the next program!

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Enrollment currently closed - 〰️ Sign up here to be notified when doors open for the next program! ~

The Thriving Musician

A 6-month online group program for busy, professional musicians who want to go from survive mode to thrive mode.

*enrollment currently closed, stay tuned for info about when doors open again


Dear busy, driven (and perhaps…overworked) musician:

You’ve been out in the music world for a while and your career is…. pretty good. 

You’ve had some incredible opportunities come your way and you know how to make things happen (though often at the expense of boundaries for self-care, time off…cue burnout, perhaps?)

Deep down you know your career could be a lot better (and less exhausting!) if you could take the driver’s seat and craft your career and schedule how YOU want it. 


Maybe you…

  • have project ideas but feel you lack the clarity and know-how to bring them to life without overworking (not to mention enough time to make them happen)

  • are overwhelmed juggling too many things, feeling like you’re half-assing some of them 

  • feel you lack control of the opportunities that come your way and are a master at fitting into everyone else's projects (and everyone else’s schedules)

  • are burning out by a busy schedule that leaves you frustrated and longing to work fewer hours and make more money



I see it too often: super-talented and passionate musicians whose ideas and projects are hampered by lack of time, absence of clarity, and/or underdeveloped business skills. 

But you don’t have to stay stuck.

Instead, you can prioritize creativity, spaciousness and success on your terms. 


Watch how The Thriving Musician transforms musicians’ lives:


Imagine you could:

  • Get back to that inspirational place in your career where creative fulfillment and impact take the front seat (while still being able to pay the bills)

  • Confidently approach opportunities (and get them!) without feeling like you’re not worthy

  • Authentically connect with the right people and use those connections to create breakthrough moments instead of leaving it up to chance

  • Artistically align your career with your ideal lifestyle and schedule on your own terms (real talk: you don’t have to drive yourself into the ground to have a thriving career!

That’s why I created…

The Thriving Musician

A 6-month online group program for busy, professional musicians who want to create thriving success on THEIR OWN terms! (where survival mode is never a thing) 

Be the creator of your career, and no longer the follower. 


I’m talking about creating the opportunities you want, the schedule you want, the income you desire and yes, the meaningful, impact-driven work you want. 


For this program, I select a small cohort of high-level, driven musician entrepreneurs who want to hone their mindset and business skills to confidently create the career they want.


“When it comes to putting myself out there for opportunities,  that moment of what could have been fear and the thought that this could go horribly wrong is now, This could actually go horribly RIGHT!”

“Before working with Sarah, I was very busy - I was doing a ton of gigs. I was finding myself burnt out and feeling kind of guilty about it because I had incredible opportunities. I knew that everybody else my age would have sacrificed everything to have had my position, and I was feeling pretty dissatisfied and pretty unhappy., I knew in my heart that it wasn't necessarily the work that I was doing, but I knew something was off and I was questioning what I was doing in the industry. 


Since working with Sarah, I've really come to value myself regardless of what other people think. And when it comes to putting myself out there for opportunities there's now this moment of thrill that I've come to identify with - that moment of what could have been fear and the thought that this could go horribly wrong is now,
This could actually go horribly RIGHT!”

- Will Curry, conductor/violist, NYC, Music Director Les Miserables Broadway Tour

 

The Program Includes:

Live Online Workshops & Trainings

Topics include mindset, biz strategy, tackling perfectionism, money, leadership, communication, productivity, more.

Office Hours/Q&A sessions

A time when you can receive individualized support from me on any aspect of your career or business.

The Thriving Musician Community

24/7 support in a private FB Group with a rockstar community of like-minded artists to support you, cheer you on and hold you accountable. This will also be a place to ask questions and receive feedback.

 

“I used to be stuck in the hustle, constantly overworking… after being in the program, I’ve found more balance, more sustainability, and permission to let my career unfold organically in the best way.”

I used to be stuck in the hustle, constantly overworking and feeling like I had to do everything at once. This program helped me realize that my life doesn’t have to be a nonstop grind. I’ve found more balance, more sustainability, and permission to let my career unfold organically.

Alongside the deeper personal growth, I also came out with a whole notebook full of practical tools—advertising, websites, finances, pricing, and asking for what I’m worth!

Also, I hadn’t considered how many inspiring, supportive friendships I would gain from this group. The community aspect has been invaluable.

- Diana Ladio, touring 5-string violinist & educator

Now I get it - you don’t want people to feel like you’re ungrateful for the career you do have. 

You’ve had success and it’s been great.

But you also don’t want to aimlessly fall through life leaving unfulfilled potential and impact on the table.

And let’s be real - it’s not your fault you feel this way. 

Nobody taught you in school how to actually create the fulfilling career you want. 

That’s why I created this program. 

To empower musicians so it’s the norm to wake up every day excited about your schedule and career.

My clients have:

  • Said goodbye to that ache of unfulfilled potential, knowing that they will now leave the legacy they want as a musician 

  • Mastered a work-life balance that affords them the lifestyle and time off they desire

  • Turned passion projects into money-makers without selling out. 

  • Gone from feeling at the mercy of the gigs that land on their doorstep to waking up every day inspired about what’s on their calendar. 

  • Created collaborations with high-profile composers they’ve dreamt about working with for years.

 

“I grew my teaching business over 40% and nearly doubled my work in performance!

“Before our work together, I felt like I had a relatively clear vision of the direction in which I wanted to take my career and life, but was having a difficult time putting together the process of getting there. Now, I feel much more confident in my goals, prioritization strategies, and ability to create structure in a freelance/entrepreneurial life.

If you are thinking of working with Sarah, do it! The qualitative benefits are worth it in themselves. But if you have financial, and business goals, you will quickly see quantitative benefits as well. I grew my teaching business by over 40% and nearly doubled my work in performance!”

- Meghan Todt-Williams, violinist & teacher, NYC

A picture from The Thriving Musician, 2024

 

How do you know if you’re a good fit for this program?

Here’s a bit about my clients who get the best results:

  • You are a busy, high-level professional musician 

  • You tend to people please, which has served you well, but also held you back from unapologetically pursuing WHAT you want and HOW you want it

  • You are a creative thinker, leader and/or innovator who knows they have something amazing to offer the world

  • You have perfection tendencies - attention to detail is super important to you, but it can make your process excruciating


Sarah made the impossible possible, the overwhelming manageable, the avoidable approachable, and the negative positive.
— Sara Caswell, Grammy-nominated Jazz violinist & Associate Professor at Berklee College of Music

Hi, I’m Sarah!

I'm a Career Coach for High-Achieving Musicians, a violinist, artistic director, speaker, espresso junkie and 6 feet tall.

In addition to my coaching business, I run Beyond the Notes, my concert series now in its 10th year, teach entrepreneurship and violin at Longy School of Music and frequently give workshops at top conservatories nationwide, including Juilliard, Curtis, New England Conservatory, and Oberlin. As a former founding member of Sybarite5, I also helped grow the ensemble from a single annual concert to multiple national tours and three Billboard-charting albums.

My mission is to help musicians build thriving careers without burning out. Twelve years ago, a challenging hand injury nearly derailed my career. During my recovery, I discovered life-changing mindset tools that transformed my professional and personal life (many of which had nothing to do with my injury). Additionally, I also realized my knack for entrepreneurship, turning many ideas into a reality (including my touring ensemble, Sybarite5 and my concert series). Realizing many musicians lacked access to this knowledge, I felt compelled to share it.

When COVID-19 wiped out my income, I launched my coaching business to empower musicians with mindset strategies and business skills. This shift allowed me to leave the endless hustle of NYC, move to Boston, prioritize my relationships in a new and meaningful way, and craft my own balanced, spacious and fulfilling career.

The work I do as a coach is my pride and joy. I've distilled into The Thriving Musician group program all the essential skills musicians need to thrive, including mindset, business strategy, finance, leadership, communication, non-icky promotion, effortless productivity (yes you can!), and more. I'm beyond thrilled to launch this program and can't wait for you to join me on this journey to a thriving career and life!

 

If you’re thinking “I’m super busy! Will I have time to make this work?”

Here’s what I want you to know: 


I have thoughtfully designed this program for VERY busy musicians.

I’ve designed the workshops to be interactive so you have the accountability you need to consistently make progress forward and rest assured that you’re not putting you’re career priorities on the back burner any longer.

This is NOT one of those programs with information overload and tons of HW so you feel you need to spend months integrating all of the concepts after the program is over.

There will be loads of valuable info delivered (including templates and worksheets) but the program is structured to allow for integration throughout so you walk away with changes and progress forward you want.

 

Dive in today

〰️

If you can dream it, let's do it

〰️

Dive in today 〰️ If you can dream it, let's do it 〰️

 

“The group aspect was absolutely amazing—being surrounded by like-minded musicians who truly understand the journey made all the difference.”

For years, I thought I could do everything by myself—I never felt like I needed help. But I realized how much I had isolated myself. Being organized was a big thing for me; I just couldn’t find a way to be consistent. And confidence—I have it, but I knew I could use more support to truly own what I want to do with my career.

This program is the opposite of isolation—it’s about helping each other, exchanging ideas, and having a safe environment where you can be vulnerable. The group aspect was absolutely amazing—being surrounded by like-minded musicians who truly understand the journey made all the difference.

If you want to go to the next level, sometimes you need help. You can't do it all alone. Sarah is an incredible listener who asks the right questions and really understands what musicians go through. The amount of growth you get out of this program is just amazing.

- Pascale Delache-Feldman, bassist, Faculty at Longy School of Music, Duo Cello e Basso


Here is how the program works:

  • 3 group calls per month (on Zoom), including Live Workshops and Trainings, and Office Hours/Q&A sessions with Sarah

  • The Thriving Musician Private FB Community for all members

  • 24/7 support in a private FB Group with a rockstar community of like-minded artists. You’ll be surrounded by colleagues to support and cheer you on. This will also be a place to ask questions and receive feedback.

  • Accountability Partners

  • Access to Monthly Zoom Accountability Power hours (my clients swear by these!)

Pricing

*I have a special rate for previous/existing clients - please inquire!

Regular Tier

  • Pay in full: $3300

  • Or pay monthly: $565/month

VIP Tier

Group program plus three 60-min 1:1 calls OR six 30-min 1:1 calls w/Sarah & Voxer* access throughout program

  • Pay in full: $4400

  • Or pay monthly: $750/month

*What is Voxer? Voxer is a voice messaging and texting app where you can have access to Sarah between sessions

 

“The investment was well worth it because it’s not just a six-month investment - it’s something I can use for the rest of my life.”

Before working with Sarah, my biggest frustration was that I wasn't prioritizing my own needs as an artist and was letting opportunities dictate my path. I wasn't being proactive about pursuing my own desires artistically.

Now, I feel empowered to take charge of my career in a way that I didn't before. I have the confidence and tools to move forward and make progress. And the accountability of the group was crucial in keeping me motivated. I wanted to show up for the group, which was a huge benefit.

- Shane Shanahan, percussionist, founding member of Silkroad Ensemble

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Got questions? I have answers!

  • Click the link above to book a FREE discovery call with me! We’ll have a no-pressure chat where I can learn more about you and goals to see if you’re a good fit! 

  • I have thoughtfully designed this program for VERY busy musicians. This is NOT a program where you will have loads of HW and a huge time commitment. I’ve designed the workshops to be interactive so you have the accountability you need to consistently make progress forward and rest assured that you’re not putting you’re career priorities on the back burner any longer. 

  • I totally get it - musicians' schedules are not always predictable! All of the calls will be recorded and available for you to rewatch whenever you have the time. And, if you miss a Q&A session, you can always pop your question in the Private FB group for me to answer. You can also opt for the VIP level which gives you three 60-min 1:1 sessions OR six 30-min 1:1 sessions with me to schedule at your convenience during the 6 months. 

  • The program starts March 5, 2025 and ends August 31, 2025. 

  • All workshops and Q&A sessions will be on Monday & Wednesdays during the window of 11am EST and 1pm EST. (Full schedule coming soon!)

  • There is a total of 18 sessions. Meeting will happen 3x per month, including trainings on targeted topics and Live Office Hours/Q&A Sessions where you can get individualized support from me on any aspect of your business.

  • Yes, and lots of it! Through the group coaching sessions, you'll get personalized support from me. Plus, in the private Facebook Community, you'll get to ask questions around the clock and get feedback. I will get to know each of you so that we can support you with your unique journey. If you’re looking for more support, you can join the VIP Tier with additional 1:1 calls with me.

  • Is your inner voice blaring the alarm signal “This sounds impossible! How can I possibly make these things happen?” I hear you, and here’s what I want you to know. I've helped countless musicians make huge transformations with their mindset unlocking possibility, inspiration, creativity and excitement. I’m here to support you and am dedicated to showing you it is possible. 

 

Can I hear from some of your clients? 

Of course! Here are some messages and testimonials.

 
 
 

“I enjoyed our session so much and I got more out of it than I thought I would. You’re like a career therapist on steroids with some great practical business strategies. You were such a joy to spend that time with and you're exactly the person I want to work with. I left feeling rejuvenated and inspired. Thank you again, you’re a true pro and someone I value a lot!”

—Chetan Tierra, pianist and co-founder of San Diego Piano Academy

“I approached Sarah when I felt stuck to take the next step in my career and needed to talk everything through with someone I trust and respect. In no time at all, Sarah was able to get me unstuck and I went from procrastinating mode into DOING mode! She is highly professional, very friendly and has lots of great advice. I highly recommend working with her!”

—Cordelia Hagmann, violinist

“Sarah is an invaluable asset to grow and expand your business. She has a wealth of knowledge and will challenge, guide and support you in doing work that you love while charging what you’re worth.”

—Analisa Leaming, Broadway Actor and Soulful Coach, Host of the Soulful Ambition Podcast