SOPRANO
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Outside of her regularly scheduled classroom teaching and studio work, Sarah’s passions for music and education can also be seen in her involvement with numerous community projects and extracurricular activities with her students.
Interdepartmental engagement through various musicals with the Hope College Theatre Department highlights her interest in exploring a variety of genres, and her teaching of the Opera Workshop shows her competency of programming, directing, staging, costuming, and prop coordination. Always eager to provide more musical opportunities for her students, Sarah helps coordinate special auditions, student degree and non-degree recitals, and provides additional coachings for performances.
Sarah is always looking to connect with members of the community. Upon serving as a Board Member for the Holland Chorale, Sarah assumed the role of Community Engagement Coordinator as this position best fit her interests. This role provided the opportunity to spearhead the Painted Piano Project. A project aimed at blending visual and performing arts together in both a professional and community setting while also providing the local Boys & Girls Club with a quality instrument.. In the summer of 2022, Sarah participated as Voice Instructor for the 2-week Latinx Summer Intensive: ¡Canto! With students and her colleagues they will explore diversity in music by underrepresented composers, help young singers develop their voice, and promote inclusion within the Holland community and beyond.
Sarah’s most current research is based on 19th century women composers. With her former student, Emlin Munch, she has spent time researching and rediscovering women composers. Stay tuned for future updates as there are already more special projects in the planning stages.
Painted Piano Project:
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The purpose of the Painted Piano Project is threefold: 1.) To bring music to inspire the public through means of a public performance while also allowing the Holland community access to the instrument; 2.) To create collaboration between the visual and performing arts; and 3.) To provide a Holland Community organization with a quality instrument while fostering new relationships. Area artist Joel Schoon Tanis has painted a baby grand piano that was given to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland in October of 2023. The project aimed to spark impromptu music-making and connections that created spontaneous moments of joy and community, and brought people together. Before the dedication of the piano, the Holland community had access to play this piano, and the Holland Chorale and other area musicians utilized the piano in various performances.
Bright Star:
Written and composed by Steven Martin and Edie Brickell
Directed by Daina Robins
Music Directions by Sarah VandenBrink
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Bright Star tells a sweeping tale of love and redemption set against the rich backdrop of the American South in the 1920s and ‘40s. When literary editor Alice Murphy meets a young soldier just home from World War II, he awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connections, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past – and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives.
¡Canto! A Latinx Vocal Intensive:
An exciting new program for 12 High School Latinx vocalists to study and perform Latinx Vocal Music. Over the course of this vocal intensive, students will dive into vocal pieces composed solely by Latinx artists, both ancient and modern. This celebration of Latinx music; young artists will manifest itself in various settings throughout the program: students will receive private voice lessons with Dr. Sarah VandenBrink, rehearse in small vocal ensembles with Professor Eric Reyes, attend lectures and sessions discussing the history of Latinx music, engage in conversations with professional Latinx classical musicians, as well as receive mentorship from Latinx leaders in the community.