Sarah Wass

Sarah Wass is a nonprofit leader, award-winning arts educator, and active professional musician with more than 20 years of experience in the performing arts.  She joined Brightwork newmusic as Executive Director in 2021 after serving in various leadership roles with The Harmony Project, and brings expertise in fundraising, grant writing, strategic growth, project management and curriculum design. She has created and implemented innovative curricula that help students of all ages achieve their full potential through artistic expression and in this capacity has worked with the LA Phil, Kadima Conservatory, Oakwood School and the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra. As a flutist, Sarah performs in concert halls, on sound stages, and in the occasional former speakeasy. She has been an artist-in-residence at Stanford University; University of Surrey, UK; Dartington International Summer School and Cal State Summer Arts Festival. She has performed with Brightwork Ensemble, Wild Up, International Contemporary Ensemble, The Industry Opera and on the Ojai Festival, Hear Now Festival and Monday Evening Concerts, and can be heard on Bridge Records. Sarah holds a BM from Oberlin Conservatory and an MFA from California Institute of the Arts. To further her knowledge in the fields of arts administration and community organizing she completed the Community Arts Education Leadership Institute and the Community Counseling Certificate program through Southern California Counseling Center. Sarah maintains a private flute studio in Los Angeles and serves as a winds coach for the Kadima Conservatory. She lives in Silver Lake with her family and various rescue animals.