Faces of Music & Sound

Sarah McElravy

Violin, Canada
Strings Master Class

Sarah McElravy is an emerging musician and a star performer who already has a number of outstanding credits to her name – and certainly more to come. The summer of 2005 was Sarah’s fifth as a master class participant at The Banff Centre, which speaks to her high regard for the program. “I’d heard a lot about The Banff Centre, and was honoured when [faculty member] Erika Raum suggested I apply. I didn’t think I was at that level yet,” she remarked about her first year. “At that time, I needed guidance. Banff was perfect for that. The faculty have such a wealth of information to share – it’s phenomenal.”

Recently, Sarah performed as a soloist with the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber Orchestra and was awarded second place at the Canadian Music Competition National Finals. Now in her third year at the Cleveland Institute of Music, Sarah still finds that Banff provides an amazing amount of learning and opportunity to grow. “Lots of festivals are overload. Here we have one master class a day, some private lessons, and all the rest of the day to practice and focus on what I need. I recommend Banff to all my friends.”

Next summer? Sarah plans to be back. “Banff still provides me with great things. There’s so much to do here, so many opportunities to perform – it’s really good for that.” What surprises her, even after five years? “The level of players always surprises me, it’s such a great experience to play with such talented musicians.”

Listen to a clip of Sarah performing Camille Saint-Saens’s Concerto No. 3 in b minor 2005 Banff Summer Arts Festival.