Sarah Whittingham was first inspired to play the violin at the age of 6 after watching the instrument played at her local school in Oakamoor, North Staffordshire. After failing to make a playable violin of her own, from a wooden jigsaw frame and rubber bands, she started taking lessons. Her love of the instrument increased and she found herself travelling further afield studying privately once a month with Prof. David Martin at The Royal Academy of music in London.
Aged 13, Sarah gained gold medal grade 7 (ABRSM), the highest mark nationally. At 14 she won a national competition for young composers with a piece for piano and violin. At the same time she was invited to study at Chetham's School of Music, the historic and internationally renowned specialist Music School in the heart of Manchester. She stayed at Chethams from age 14 - 18 and during her time there toured East Germany with the Chetham's Chamber Orchestra performing as soloist.
Sarah moved from Chetham's to the Royal Northern College of Music where she studied the violin for 4 years and was awarded a higher GRNCM. During her final year at the RNCM she played in Hong Kong with a RNCM Quartet and also began her freelance career working for the BBC Philharmonic, Manchester Camerata and the Goldberg Ensemble.
During her professional career Sarah has worked with the Halle, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Northern Chamber Orchestra, London Bach Orchestra, City of London Sinfonia, Manchester Chamber Ensemble and Viva.
She has also played at the Proms, The Electric Proms and annually at The Buxton Opera House for their summer festival.
Sarah has backed a wide variety of artists from Patrick Moore to Elaine Paige and Vanessa Mae and continues to be in demand, playing with the UK's finest orchestras, contemporary composers and popular artists.
Recent work includes:
Michael Bublé (BBC recordings), The Hallé (concerts, broadcasts & recordings), Manchester Camerata (concerts, broadcasts, recordings and education), Hacienda Classical (sold out shows including the Royal Albert Hall), Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watkins, Lesley Garrett, Nicola Benedetti, Hayley Westenra, The Last Shadow Puppets (Electric Proms), Craig Ogden, Jennifer Pike, Carlos Acosta (Ballet Superstar) and contemporary dance group Clod Ensemble.
Sarah also enjoys playing Celtic music and works regularly with bands playing at Ceilidh’s around the UK.
As well as performing, Sarah has over 20 years experience of both one to one and group teaching in both violin and theory of music.
To find out more about private violin and theory lessons please click here.
Sarah is also involved with education work around the UK for Manchester Camerata and Sistema England.
To find out more about Sarah’s Education work please click here.
Sarah is a member of the Musicians Union.
