Violin with Sarah G.

Sarah Gorak (Schmidt) began her musical journey in her elementary school orchestra program in Renton, Washington. She then furthered her interest in private violin lessons with Sara Roark (former Concertmaster of Village Theatre) and Gwendolyn Taylor (Associate Concertmaster of the Tacoma Symphony). In 2013, she graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor’s of Music Education and her K-12 teaching certification with specializations in Instrumental, Choral, and General Music. Her primary instrument during her undergraduate studies was the violin and she studied with Carrie Rehkopf Michel and Heather Netz (now staff at Idyllwild). Sarah has filled many elementary through high school music ensemble instructor roles over the years. She was an active staff member in the CWU Preparatory Strings program and she was nominated as employee of the year in 2012. She student taught with Kara Hunnicutt (principal cellist of the Yakima Symphony and conductor of the Icicle Creek Youth Symphony) for the Ellensburg School District orchestras grades 2-12. She also did a short practicum with Cherrie Adams at Graham Hill Elementary in Seattle. Her primary passion is interacting and engaging with children, and music is her vessel. She has extended her experience beyond musical instruction and into venues such as the YMCA, day camps, country clubs, church youth programs, afterschool programs, and being a child care provider. While she is passionate about working with children, she also enjoys instructing youthful minds of adults. Her goal for all students is for them to all find their child-like yearning to learn and be creative. Sarah strongly believes in being a lifelong student so she enjoys pursuing learning other fiddle styles, improvisation, and other instruments. She is currently pursuing studying with renown jazz violinist Christian Howes and cellist Greg Byers. She enjoys collaborating with local Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky musicians in non-classical settings. Sarah enjoys staying connected to the culture of her birthplace (Hawai’i) through hula dancing - she used to compete with halau Na Hanu ‘O Ku’uleialoha. She also loves spending time with her husband, violist Peter Gorak, and her cat.