Sarah Jo Brand M.M. ’12

It is a real honor to be named a Ruth Nelson Kraft Foundation scholar. This scholarship has made it possible for me to pursue an advanced degree and spend a concentrated period of time focused on studying music. Already after one semester at Lynn, I have grown a great deal musically and professionally.

I am a flutist in the Lynn University Conservatory of Music, going into my second semester of a master's degree program. I have a 3.85 GPA and will graduate in January 2013. So far Lynn has been a wonderful experience for me.

My flute teacher, Renee Siebert, is one of the top flutists in the world. Her many years playing in the New York Philharmonic gives her an insight into orchestral playing that is very special and very helpful to a young musician like me. She is also a kind and generous teacher and I am excited about the way my playing has improved under her guidance.

My other teachers at Lynn have also been extremely supportive and are always open, both in and out of class, to my many questions. Many aspects of having a successful career in music are not self-evident to someone just starting out, and it is really valuable to be able to draw on the collective knowledge of the faculty. I especially liked Dan Satterwhite's Music Entrepreneurship class, which focused on many of the organizational aspects of being a successful musician.

I am from lower Manhattan, New York City. My parents are artists and my little sister is a musician. We are all very close and talk often. My ultimate goal is to play with top level musicians, in both small and large ensemble settings, and to make a living doing so.

Besides music, I have many hobbies. I love to ride my bicycle, especially in Boca Raton, where there are bike lanes everywhere and the weather is beautiful. I also love to read and to learn about subjects unrelated to music.

I went to Bard College Conservatory of Music, which has a mandatory double degree program for musicians. I did degrees in both flute performance and sociology. I also love to teach, and have done a fair amount of it. However, now that I am in school, I am thrilled to be focusing on playing.

Again, this scholarship is an amazing opportunity and I really can't thank you enough.

Read more Thank You letters

Stay in touch with Lynn:

 

Lynn University
University Advancement

3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431

Phone: 561-237-7875 | Toll-free: 877-326-5966 | Fax: 561-237-7819