Street Cred…
Sarah Whitnah grew up in Fairbanks, AK, and before you ask, she would like to confirm that “no, Alaskans do not live in igloos. But they do eat more ice cream per capita than any other US state!” After high school she traveled to the Lower 48 (as Alaskans like to call the contiguous 48 states) to study violin performance at St. Olaf College in the land of lakes and Lutheran choirs (Minnesota). While there, she learned the importance of music as a service to others, and believes that music can heal and bring people together unlike any other experience. After obtaining her bachelor's degree, she decided that Minnesota wasn’t necessarily warmer than Alaska, and made her way down to Denver, CO to pursue her masters in violin performance at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. While there she studied with Linda Wang, and had many amazing opportunities some of which included playing in masterclasses for the Kronos Quartet and Leila Josefowicz. In 2010 she placed first in the Lamont School of Music’s concerto competition, performing the Sibelius Violin Concert. Ultimately, She decided the weather in Colorado was much better than either Alaska, or Minnesota, and has lived in Denver for about 16 years now.
Whitnah currently performs all over the state of Colorado as a freelance violinist and soloist. She has performed as a soloist many times with Denver’s Kantorei choir, and is featured on their latest album of Jake Runestad’s works (Sing, Wearing the Sky). She is the principal violinist with The Playground Ensemble, Colorado’s premiere New Music chamber ensemble in residence at Metro State University; Principal Violinist in the Red Rock String Quartet; Arranger and Core Member of Sphere Ensemble; Co-Concertmaster of The Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, Principal Second Violin in the Fort Collins Symphony; Assistant Principal Second Violin in The Boulder Chamber Orchestra; and section violinist in the Colorado Springs Philharmonic. She has performed with many notable artists including Glee’s Daren Criss, Kygo, KALEO, rock cellist Tina Guo, and Manheim Steamroller.
Believing it’s never too late to learn an instrument, Whitnah enjoys teaching violin to all ages and skill levels, and maintains an active private violin studio from her home. [Please visit her Lessons page to learn more.]