Music has always been my "thing."

I was blessed from my early years with wonderful music teachers who gave me unique and challenging experiences.

But that doesn't mean it was a straight shot to reach my musical goals.

I had to work hard and step into my own "musical skin" with confidence.

my music

Read all about

here...

journey

Read on to see why and how I teach.

I believe we’re all wired to do ‘hard’ things.

With encouragement, positivity, community, and FUN, we begin to conquer the ‘hard’ and confidence soars!

We are then freed to share our passions and enrich the lives of those around us.

My Teaching Philosophy

My absolute favorite part of teaching
is witnessing that

Now I teach music because it is such a joy to encourage students through their own journey...

The flute became my voice and music my vehicle toward confidence and self-esteem in all areas of my life.

Luckily, my private music teachers saw right past my insecurities and
encouraged me to work hard and believe in myself.

Growing up, I thrived in the intellectual and creative challenge of music.
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(And I love all the FUN we have getting there!)

both in and out of the practice room.

Learning to play an instrument has got to be FUN :)

So, what does all of that that look like in lessons?

I Listen. I really get to know my students, and talk about all the things going on in their life. All the stuff matters to me, not just how many minutes they practiced.

I Encourage. I am my students’ biggest cheerleader. I want my students to know that no matter what, I am on their side, and I believe in them.

We speak Positively. Negative talk is not allowed in the studio. We turn negative phrases into positive, uplifting statements.

I am Transparent. I play for my students. I tell them my success and failure stories. I pull back the curtain to let them see I'm not always perfect either, but I am still a great musician, and so are they.

We Find 'easy' in the 'hard'. One of my favorite things to do with students is to figure out how a new piece that seems really hard, is actually pretty easy. We find patterns, see which parts repeat, break things down into smaller “bites”, and study the form/structure of the piece.

I Challenge students to choose 'hard' stuff sometimes...recitals, solo festivals, honor bands, and extra performances. This was my jive as a student, and I love walking through all the performance prep with my students.

We have FUN in lessons! Young and young-at-heart, we all learn best when we’re playing and having a good time. Off-bench activities, games, music store, engaging music, exhilarating duet playing: it's all part of the formula.

Technology helps! Our Music Lab station with iPad & keyboard is one of my favorite additions to the studio in recent years.

But most importantly, we enjoy the gift of music TOGETHER!

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My journey

My very first music teacher was my Mom. A lovely pianist, she helped me learn on my very first toy piano, complete with color-coded sheet music♥︎ Then came..

▶︎ Group piano classes, then private lessons

▶︎ Suzuki violin (tamed that ol' squawk box--as my grandpa called it)

▶︎ The Academy Singers (an audition-only elementary chorus)

▶︎ The Nutcracker musical at a historic theatre

▶︎ Steel Drum band (the only elementary band in the state of Iowa!)

▶︎ Extracurricular Children's Choir in middle school

▶︎ Digital Organ Lessons & Competitions!

Go ahead and get comfy. I'll tell you everything...

Yes, I actually played this!

I definitely was not good at the flute right away. But in middle school, I found Margaret, who became my first private flute teacher. I was soon "all in" for the flute.

Lessons with Margaret were my favorite. She expected a lot. I was driven by my desire to please her and show her I was capable of playing all those beautiful, "hard" pieces I heard other students play. By 8th grade, the itch to teach flute someday was there to stay. I knew I wanted her job, but had a lot of growing to do...

Then one summer, I found my mom's old flute in the closet and just HAD to learn how to play it, much to the dismay of the orchestra director (sayonara, squawk box!).

I was smitten.

My piano teacher, Don, was great. I really enjoyed piano lessons. Though piano was my first love, and will always be a thread that runs through all of my musical experience, I never really felt at total ease at the piano the way I wanted to..

Almost overnight, I went from shy and timid to

confident and sure in my playing.

❖ Get 17th chair (out of 20 flutes - Ugh!)

❖ Be told the school's piccolo is for "upper class" students only.

❖ Try out for Drum Major every year, only to realize it's simply a popularity contest.

❖ Be told flute is not a jazz instrument and I'd have to play something else in jazz band.

❖ Show up on audition day along with a zillion other flutes to realize I am so. not. prepared.

High school brought its own set of challenges. Although I knew I was a capable flutist, I wasn't showing it to the world yet. I just felt so invisible. So insignificant. So NOT confident.

I can honestly say I know what it feels like to...

But at some point during my Freshman year of High School, I found my stride, with Margaret's constant encouragement. I knew she could see my potential, I just hadn't been ready to come out of my shell and show everyone else. When I stepped into the vision she had for me, It was as though someone flipped a switch in my brain...

Flute section leader and flute choir student director roles soon followed. I began to win auditions on the flute and get outstanding ratings. I got into a youth orchestra, made many honor bands, and was awarded Best of Center more than once. By my Senior year of high school, I was teaching flute lessons to classmates (for a whopping $5/lesson!) and getting hired for gigs in the community (Governor's Gala!)

And auditioning got easier and easier....my dream of making All-State not only happened, but I actually made First Chair Flute.

Confidence was finally mine. And it can be yours, too.

I suddenly wanted everyone to listen to me. I knew I was good at the flute and I was OK with the world knowing it.

In college, I added some oboe playing and conducting to my arsenal of skills, not to mention woodwind and string methods, and instrument repair basics. Won a concerto competition and played in masterclasses, learning from world-class flutists. And I gave not one, not two, but three solo recitals. I even had five private flute students before graduating with my music degree.

I was soaking it all in. Doing all. the. things.

But I will never forget how my music teachers helped unlock my musical "voice" and give me confidence.

I will be forever grateful for that gift.

Now I get to pass the gift of confidence on to YOU!

Ms. Sarah is also Mom to four awesome kids: Adelyn, Everly, Colwyn & Rafe. They all play the piano and the girls play flute too! Her husband, Jason, is a talented pianist and singer (when stop long enough to play a tune).

I understand what it takes to be a parent of musical kids – facilitating practice. Encouraging them to work hard and persevere. Showing up to all the recitals and concerts. Setting expectations and boundaries. But I can tell you, it's absolutely worth it. Let me walk alongside you as a piano or flute parent, and know, you are not alone!

Completed Kathy Blocki’s KinderFlute Teacher Training Course with Certification in 2023

Greater Des Moines Flute Choir Member, 2023-present

Freelance Flute Performance (ongoing)

20+ years private flute teaching, and 15+ years piano teaching experience with Sarah’s Studio

Private Lesson teacher at Rieman Music, 2004-2010

Volunteer church musician - choir, wind band, and worship band (keyboard and flute)

Bachelor’s of Music in Flute Performance, Iowa State University 2003

ISU Orchestra Concerto Competition Winner, 2003

Masterclasses with William Bennet & Jill Felber, 2002-2003

Iowa High School All-State Honor Band member, 1997 and 1998 (principal flute/picc in ’98)

Sarah Richards - Resume and Experience

My Studio

Lessons are held at my home studio in Urbandale, Iowa

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