Sarah Archer

Piano

“To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable.”
– Ludwig Van Beethoven

Sarah has been teaching piano in the DFW area since 2013 and loves sharing her passion for music with her students. She started her piano education at the age of seven, and during high school, she successfully participated in masterclasses, festivals, competitions, theory exams, and attended the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts in Summer 2011.  Throughout her piano studies, Sarah studied under notable pianists and pedagogues such as Dr. Richard Shuster, Dr. Hamilton Tescarollo, the late Dr. Jovanni-Rey de Pedro, and Dr. Christopher Madden.  After her pre-collegiate piano studies, she attended Texas Woman’s University where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, specializing in piano, and later earned a Master of Arts with an emphasis in piano pedagogy. Her specialization in piano pedagogy emphasizes her dedication to music education as this field is defined as “the art of teaching”.  While a student at TWU, Sarah was honored for her musical achievements and artistic contributions. She was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, a music honor society, for her exceptional musical achievements, was a recipient of the Pauline Bishop Leman Memorial Award for outstanding artistic accomplishments in Spring 2017 and was honored with the Richard J. Shuster Honorary Endowed Scholarship in addition to various other academic and music scholarships.  

Sarah is a certified piano specialist through the Royal Conservatory in addition to being a classical pianist. She is actively involved in various music teacher associations including the Music Teachers National Association, the Texas Music Teachers Association, the Fort Worth Music Teachers Association, and the Mid-Cities Music Teachers Association through which she serves as a festival co-chair and serves on the scholarship committee. She is also a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers. In addition to teaching piano, Sarah is completing her Master of Science majoring in Library Science with concentration in Music Librarianship at the University of North Texas where she was the recipient of the Academic Achievement Award and the Lady Kate Medders Alumni Society Endowed Scholarship. She also serves as a keyboardist for the worship team at North Fort Worth Baptist Church.

Teaching Philosophy

As a dedicated piano teacher, Sarah recognizes the immense potential in each of her students, understanding that every learner possesses a unique voice and creative expression waiting to be discovered. Her primary objective goes beyond merely teaching piano; she aspires to inspire a genuine love for music in her students and to cultivate their enjoyment of playing the instrument. Sarah employs a teaching philosophy that harmoniously blends proper technique with artistic expression, ensuring her students not only master the mechanics of playing but also develop their own musical identities.Sarah is particularly dedicated to nurturing versatility in her students, guiding them to venture into a variety of musical genres—be it classical, jazz, pop, or worship—so they can discover what resonates with them most. 

Sarah believes that playing the piano is a profoundly enriching experience that can bring joy and fulfillment, and in her studio, she teaches students of all ages and levels. She cultivates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that encourages her students to explore music in a way that resonates with their personal interests. To keep her younger students motivated and inspired as they progress toward their musical goals, Sarah employs a variety of teaching methods, including games, improvisation, and creative exercises. What sets Sarah apart is her emphasis on providing her students with a comprehensive music education which is inclusive of repertoire, technique, music theory, musicianship, and performance. This foundation enables her students to become well-rounded, independent thinkers who can analyze and interpret music critically. She encourages them to ask questions, explore different interpretations, and develop their unique musical voices.

Technique

Sarah emphasizes the importance of building a solid foundation of technical skills. Sarah firmly believes that establishing healthy and consistent playing habits and learning the correct way from the start will lay the groundwork for musical success in the future. To accomplish this, Sarah’s students are required to have at least an 88-key weighted keyboard at home although a quality acoustic piano is preferable. With access to an instrument at home, they will be given the opportunity to commit to the practice time required to make noticeable progress in their studies. Their practice routine will include exercises to build healthy technique that will help students play with clarity and precision while also preventing injury as students progress in their studies. 

Music Reading

From the very beginning, students learn how to read music. Through the study of piano repertoire, students will develop excellent music reading skills–an essential component of being a well-rounded musician. Students will also build excellent reading skills by engaging in daily sight reading exercises to ensure they are consistently reading new music.

Music Theory 

Sarah places a strong emphasis on building a solid foundation in music fundamentals. She teaches essential concepts such as rhythm, music theory, and ear training, equipping her students with the skills they need to succeed as musicians. Music Theory is an essential part of music study  as it provides musicians with an understanding of the fundamentals of music such as notes, rhythm, chords, harmony, and music history. 

Musicianship

Students consistently engage in ear-training activities designed to reinforce concepts explored in their music theory studies through an auditory lens. Through active listening and interpretation of music, they cultivate the ability to recognize and understand fundamental musical elements such as pitch, rhythm, and harmony by ear. This process enhances their skills in improvisation, sight-reading, and overall musicality, ultimately fostering a heightened musicianship that enables them to “hear” music internally prior to performance.

Performance

Students not only learn how to play the piano, but they learn how to perform. Students are encouraged to participate in various performance opportunities throughout the year. Under her mentorship, students regularly achieve exemplary scores in various performances and examinations, showcasing their hard work and dedication. Participating in events hosted by prestigious organizations such as the Texas Music Teachers Association, the Royal Conservatory of Music, and the National Piano Guild auditions, her students not only gain performance experience but also build confidence and poise.

Ultimately, Sarah’s aim is to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for music in her students, equipping them with both the technical skills and the passionate spirit they need to thrive. She takes immense pride in watching her students grow into accomplished musicians, confident in their abilities and ready to share the joy of music with others.