Sarah Whitnah is an arranger, composer, teacher, and violinist, splitting her time between both Minnesota and Colorado. She holds positions with the Minnesota Opera, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Sphere Ensemble, Boulder Chamber Orchestra (AP 2nd Violin), Fort Collins Symphony (Principal 2nd Violin), and many other regional ensembles. She has also performed with many notable pop artists including Glee’s Daren Criss, Kygo, Iclandic Band KALEO, rap artist Russ, and rock cellist Tina Guo, among others.

Taking an active role in supporting new music and today’s emerging composers, Whitnah performs as the principal violinist for Colorado’s premiere new music chamber ensemble, The Playground Ensemble, artists-in-residence at Colorado Metro State University. Her compositions and arrangements have also been performed by The Sphere Ensemble, Playground Ensemble, and Concertize Ensembles.

As an educator, Whitnah has been a guest clinician at multiple summer chamber music camps in the state of Colorado (including the Lamont Summer Academy and Alpenglow Chamber Camp in Colorado Springs), and believes strongly in incorporating performance psychology skills and philosophies into all aspects of music education. Additionally this year, she will help students currently incarcerated at the Gilliam Youth Services Center to write their own music, alongside fellow members of Sphere Ensemble, and the Colorado Music Bridge organization.

Ms. Whitnah holds a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from St. Olaf College, and a master’s degree in violin performance from the University of Denver where she studied with Linda Wang.