Sarah Steranka, flutist

Sarah Steranka is a Pittsburgh-based flutist, educator, and advocate for new and experimental music. Since making her solo debut with the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic at the age of twenty, she has since appeared in concert across Europe and the U.S., and has dedicated her career to challenging the boundaries of contemporary musical performance, educating flutists of all ages, and positively impacting the lives of families and individuals through music. 
​
Steranka's work as a soloist and chamber musician explores the innovative work of living composers, and works to expand the repertoire written for low flutes, including alto, bass, and contrabass. She has performed dozens of world premieres by such composers as Federico Garcia-De Castro, Brian Riordan, Jeff Weston, David Gerard Matthews, Jean-Patrick Besingrand, Aaron Myers-Brooks, Zvonimir Nagy, Stephen Barr, Curtis Rumrill, and Ken Ueno. Her 2017-2018 season will include world premieres by Christine Burke, Lu-han Li, Laura Schwartz, Mark Fromm, Ryan McMasters, Laura Schwartz, Nancy Galbraith, and numerous others. 

Steranka performs locally with Alia Musica and Kamratōn where she continues to perform the most innovative and challenging repertoire of the decade. As an orchestral musician, Sarah performs with the Westmoreland Symphony and Pittsburgh Festival Opera. 
 Picture
A passionate educator, Steranka maintains a rigorous instructional schedule. She holds adjunct positions at Carnegie Mellon University, the Pittsburgh Flute Academy, Kathy’s Music, and Mt. Lebanon Montessori School.
Also certified by Kindermusik International, she teaches Kindermusik courses at Kathy's Music, the top-ranked program in the U.S. 

Sarah has also appeared as a guest artist and lecturer at Columbus State University's Schwob School of Music, the Woodlands Foundation, and the 2015 International Flute Symposium at West Virginia University. 

Sarah earned a B.F.A. at Carnegie Mellon University and remains wholly indebted to her teachers, Alberto Almarza and Jeanne Baxtresser. She is grateful to have received further inspiration, support, and mentorship from Wendy Webb Kumer.