Described by The New York Times as “liberating, fluent, fun to watch,” Sarah is an award-winning pianist who has graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and 92nd Street Y, as well as public television, radio, and film. She has performed over a dozen concerti with esteemed conductors such as Pascal Verrot and Carl St. Clair and collaborated with renowned ensembles, including Boston’s Radius and Chameleon Ensembles, as well as her own Duo PiantiCella with cellist Michael Bonner. Her solo CD Lavender Bouquet, featuring classical music infused with Reiki energy, was the top-selling album on CDBaby.com in 2008.

As a composer and improviser, Sarah’s work spans classical, pop, and experimental realms. Her first original improvisation album, @Play, debuted in 2014, and her multidisciplinary collaborations—combining piano, dance, and percussion—have earned international recognition, including commendation by HAIKARA ART for outstanding contributions by a Nikkei artist. Her improvisatory talents extend beyond the piano to include acting, singing, dancing, and clowning with Zerbini Circus artist Marty Levin.

Sarah’s compositions encompass a wide range of styles and formats, including commissioned works for piano, voice, theater, jazz quartet, and film. Notable premieres include Ocean Voices, performed at the University of British Columbia’s planetary healing conference; Music for One-Woman Show by Charlotte Anne Dore at the Apollinaire Theater; and Baby Dance II, featured at the ADF Festival in 2024. Her upcoming projects include a series of piano pieces slated for publication and performance at the Rivers Contemporary Music Festival in 2025, as well as an ambient piano series scheduled for global digital release in the summer of 2025.

In addition to her performances and compositions, Sarah is a sought-after educator and speaker. She has lectured on improvisation at institutions such as NEPTA, the New England Conservatory College Piano Seminar, and the Music Teachers’ Association of California. Her students regularly win top prizes in composition and piano competitions at both local and national levels.

Beyond her classical endeavors, Sarah regularly  performs as a jazz vocalist and standup comedian in the New England area. 

Former Chair, Wellesley College