Sarah Nixon continued….
Sarah is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester where she studied with David Chatwin, Nick Lander, Peter Wesley and Ed Warren. Originally a flute player, she took up the bassoon at the age of 16 and fell in love with its quirky individuality, versatility and singing baritone voice.
Since leaving the RNCM Sarah has firmly established herself as a sought after freelance bassoon and contra player, and regularly works with the majority of the UK’s professional orchestras. Sarah loves the diversity and flexibility of freelance life. Favourites among many highlights include touring Italy and Slovenia on first bassoon with Martha Argerich and Manchester Camerata, repeated appearances at the BBC Proms - including the first one outside of the Royal Albert Hall, in Hull with Royal Northern Sinfonia, playing in a month long run of The Light In The Piazza at The Royal Festival Hall with Renée Fleming and Opera North, touring Japan with the BBC Philharmonic and the RLPO and playing contrabassoon in the first performance of Britten’s incredible opera Billy Budd, at Snape Maltings with Opera North.
Alongside orchestral life, chamber music holds a special place in Sarah’s heart. As well as having the privilege to make music with her friends in Manchester Reed Trio Sarah has a special love of the wind quintet, and holds a PPRNCM with distinction as a member of The Langdale Ensemble.
Sarah teaches for two independent schools in Greater Manchester and is senior lecturer in contra bassoon at Leeds Conservatoire. She is also one of the external examiners for The Royal Northern College of Music. Sarah is active within the education departments of many of the orchestras she works with. In 2011 she trained as an animateur as part of a pilot scheme set up jointly between Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester Camerata, Northern Chamber Orchestra and Lancashire Sinfonietta. She continues to lead and co lead music and cross curricular workshops for a range of audiences, often in schools and for those with additional needs.
Whenever she can, Sarah is an avid skier and she is enjoying encouraging her two young daughters to get the bug! She also enjoys baking and hill walking.