Our Musical Leadership

Sara Young began learning the violin at the age of 6, and was awarded a Junior Exhibition at the Royal College of Music before undertaking academic studies at Oxford University.  

 

At Oxford, Sara played with many chamber groups and orchestras, and post-university, she played with the Saloman Orchestra. Sara led the Havering Concert Orchestra from 1982 to 1986 and was a founder member of the Essex Chamber Orchestra, serving as the Orchestra Leader between 1992-1993, with whom she celebrated 40 years of music making in April 2019. 

Sara was invited to teach at Youth Music Centre Hampstead, Bexley Music School, and worked as a peripatetic violin teacher for Bexley local authority. Subsequently Sara enjoyed four years at Holy Trinity College, Bromley teaching violin, octet, and string orchestra. Following 18 years and several roles at Hazelwood School, where her string quartet took the Silver Medal at the Young Prague Music Festival 2015, Sara retired as Director of Music in 2018.

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As a passionate advocate for community music, Sara believes that the educational and social benefits of making music with others cannot be underestimated. Consequently, Sara was delighted to be invited to begin working with NDCO for their summer concert in 2019. Sara, in addition to being our Musical Director and Conductor, also leads development for the strings and percussion sections. 

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Sara continues to perform with orchestras and bands, including the Essex Chamber Orchestra, Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Tonbridge Philharmonic, "Bagatelle", and, in a different genre, "The Victorious River Band" where she plays electric and acoustic violin.