Podcast - Sarah Pearson

David Fogel Interviews Conductor 

Sarah Pearson

Sarah Pearson is an American conductor, educator, and arts leader who believes that music has the extraordinary power to unite people, tell timeless stories, and transform communities. Guided by the conviction that every performance should create meaningful human connection, she has dedicated her career to inspiring musicians and audiences alike through expressive artistry, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to musical excellence.

Praised by Grammy Award-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta for conducting "with a unique combination of intensity and personal warmth that is both beautiful and compelling Pearson has emerged as one of today's exciting voices on the podium. Recently named a National Finalist for The American Prize in Conducting, she has led performances with professional and collegiate orchestras throughout the United States and abroad, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA), Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New Symphony Orchestra of Bulgaria. In 2024, she made her Carnegie Hall conducting debut with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and Mass Chorus and will return to Carnegie Hall in May 2027.

As Founder and Music Director of The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus of Tennessee, Music Director of The Cleveland Pops, and Assistant Conductor of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA), Pearson is passionate about creating performances that are both artistically compelling and deeply accessible. She is equally devoted to nurturing the next generation of musicians through education, mentorship, and community engagement. Whether conducting masterworks of the orchestral repertoire, championing contemporary composers through world and American premieres, or introducing young audiences to the joy of live orchestral music, her mission remains the same: to use music as a catalyst for inspiration, curiosity, and hope. A native of Virginia, Pearson began studying piano, voice, and flute at the age of five before discovering that her true calling was on the conductor's podium. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Tennessee Temple University and dual master's degrees in Instrumental Conducting and Music Education from Lee University School of Music with Principal Teachers Robert Bernhardt and David R. Holsinger. She has continued her artistic development through studies and masterclasses at The Juilliard School and under the guidance of distinguished mentors including JoAnn Falletta, Larry Rachleff, and Donald Schleicher.
 

Please enjoy this long-format conversation between David Fogel (CEO, The Symphonina Foundation) and Sarah.