SOPRANO
BIOGRAPHY
Sarah has also had success in her teaching. Her role as a Masterclass technician has brought her to venues across the United States. In 2016, Sarah was a finalist for the Teaching Assistant Prize for Excellence in Teaching from the Eastman School of Music, and in 2017, Sarah was awarded the prestigious prize. In the spring of 2022, Sarah was named as an Alternate for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Intern Program.
In Sarah’s brief teaching career, she had award-winning students that have taken jobs for the Washington National Opera at The Kennedy Center and attended various graduate programs for Vocal Performance and other music related ventures. She credits her fine teaching to the coaches that have taken great care of her instrument, and she is endlessly grateful for teachers and mentors who continue to inspire and encourage her, including, Rita Shane, Carol Webber, Dr. Russell Miller, and Linda Dykstra.
MEMBERSHIPS
Member
National Association of Teachers of Singing
2017 - Present
Member
Emilie-Mayer-Gesellschaft | Zur bewahrung und förderung von klassischer und zeitgenössischer musik, kunst und literatur (Emilie Mayer Society | For the preservation and promotion of Classical and Contemporary music, art, and literature)
2024 - Present
Board of Directors
Vice President
West Michigan Opera Project | Grand Rapids, Michigan
2024 - Present
Board of Directors
Friends of the Opera | Grand Rapids, Michigan
2024 - Present
Board of Directors
Leader of Community Engagement
Holland Chorale | Holland, Michigan
2020 - 2024
QUALIFICATIONS
D.M.A Vocal Performance and Literature (2018)
Minor: Vocal Pedagogy (2018)
Eastman School of Music & University of Rochester
Rochester, New York
M.M. Vocal Performance and Literature (2014)
Eastman School of Music & University of Rochester
Rochester, New York
B.M. Music Education (2011)
B.M. Vocal Performance (2011)
Hope College
Holland, Michigan
AWARDS & PRIZES
National Association of Teachers of Singing Intern (2024)
National Association of Teachers of Singing
Teaching Assistant Prize, Winner (2017)
Eastman School of Music
Teaching Assistant Prize, Finalist (2016)
Eastman School of Music
TESTIMONIALS
"The past two years of music with Dr. VandenBrink have been a joy. When I first entered her studio, I found myself struggling to find my passion for music. However, I have gained back so much appreciation for music, and I owe much of this to Dr. V. So much so, in fact, that I have made the decision to continue my vocal education at the graduate level. When I came to Dr. V with this new goal, she immediately jumped into the process with me, and has been a wonderful support. She is always willing to lend a helping hand or offer advice, and our lessons consistently leave me feeling excited and confident. I am grateful for the many office hours spent going over music, translations, and interpretations, as well as countless extra rehearsals. Dr. V has made an incredibly positive impact on my life, both as a musician and a person!"
EMMA CLARK, HOPE COLLEGE '22
"I have had voice lessons and vocal coachings since I was 12 years-old. While I was learning many tricks and techniques, I struggled to understand what they did exactly and when to apply them. When I began working with Dr. VandenBrink I was at a low point with my soprano voice. After recovering from a medical issue I was frightfully uncomfortable with high notes and needed to relearn proper breathing and breath control. In our lessons, she guided and taught me breathing techniques that worked for me as well as showing me that I am completely able to sing in my high register and feel comfortable with it. Beyond gaining confidence, knowledge, and maturity of my voice I learned the International Phonetic Alphabet, which vastly improved my Italian and German pronunciations. In the time I have worked with Dr. VandenBrink I can happily say that I have grown more than I could have ever imagined by her encouragement, patience, humor, and steady mentorship."
ELISA FULPER, VOICE STUDENT
"Dr. VandenBrink has been an important part of my collegiate education and a mentor throughout my almost-two years studying Vocal Performance. With the added inhibitor and stressor of COVID, Dr. V has been adaptive in how to help her students learn in a masked environment and how to also adjust to a more normal unmasked environment. I attribute the reason that I have stuck with music through this frustrating time to Dr. V because she listens to my concerns and helps her students through any hardships they are facing. I feel that Dr. V creates a safe space in her studio to talk about any problems, from music related or just life in general. I know that I can always go to her to discuss any difficulties I am having with my music, or just the grind of school. She is always up to any challenge and is willing to meet at other times of the week to talk, do coachings, or work on diction. I have learned a myriad of lessons from Dr. V, including: vocal technique, diction pronunciation, resumé guidelines, coping with vocal changes, and the ups and downs of performing. The relationship I have built with Dr. V has encouraged my musical pursuits and has made me a more confident performer. I truly respect and admire her work ethic and her intentionality to be there for her students."
EMLIN MUNCH, HOPE COLLEGE '24
TEACHING SAMPLES
Classical Voice Lesson with Emma Clark
Hope College, 2021
Classical Voice Lesson with Kate Nelson
Hope College, 2022