Concert Preview: Cascade Conductors & Composers Masterclass Final Concert

The Orchestral Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides, Third Annual Choral Masterclass with Geoffrey Boers, and fourth Annual Cascade Composers Workshop will run from June 15th- June 21st, 2026, giving participants from each class the opportunity to learn from all of the faculty and disciplines at the Ninth Annual Cascade Conducting Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides.

A unique pedagogical philosophy has formed the mission of Cascade Conducting, which seeks to provide a unique map for navigating the world of music and conducting, and to find balance between the demands of the business, and the preservation of one’s individual musicianship as a necessity to achieve excellence.

With the motto of “Excellence through Equity,” Cascade Conducting is dedicated to bringing world- class musical education to talented and diverse musicians from the US and around the world.  Conceived by Paula Madrigal, Sarah Ioannides, and Teo Benson in 2017, Cascade Conducting is officially a program of Orquesta Northwest, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Blog: Carnegie Hall’s “Link Up” Concert Series

It’s been an honor to be back with the Carnegie Hall Education Program to join forces with other partners and the Weill Institute team to celebrate and share about the incredible power of this program: Link Up!

After conducting over 100 performances of the “Link Up” program created by Carnegie Hall, I couldn’t be more passionate about what this stands for today. “Link up” is the longest-running education program of Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute but as fresh as ever! The program reaches more than 300,000 students and teachers worldwide through partnerships with 120 orchestras: I have been one of those with a mere 3 orchestras and it’s continuing to grow. Shout-out Symphony Tacoma, Spartanburg Philharmonic, and El Paso Symphony! 

What does this tag line “Link Up” mean? It’s the linking of music classroom learning with the live orchestra performance through students who come already engaged and prepared to be the stars of the show thanks to the hard work of their teachers. 

Every year the program is re-envisioned, revitalized and more relevant!

Experiencing the Carnegie Hall “Link Up” concert today – the final performance of their week featuring over 11,000 students from across New York City was so exciting as it was the best I’ve ever seen. Diverse and representative of NYC.  An added bonus for me; my eldest daughter, Audrey, who grew up with this program and has watched, participated and seen it evolve since I began conducting it when she was 5, joined me for the performance!

Some day I need to share with you the stories with my orchestra about our many performances, the antics on stage, backstage, in the wings and out in the audience. It’s been a great trip to grow with this program. Receiving the many thank you letters from kids has always been so touching, and as meaningful to the value of those performances on the thousands of kids attending at the time. I wonder where those kids are now and how they tap into this experience…!

As this program proves itself over and over, it’s clear to me that when students learn to sing and play an instrument in the classroom, then come and play with an orchestra live, they are better listeners and comprehend the musical concepts on another level. This is true engagement. Let’s keep this program alive and growing across the world!

Blog: Symphony Tacoma “A Grand Finale”

Saturday night’s performance was a concert like no other! It will remain unforgettable. Not only because of the program, another collection of firsts for the group, Elgar In the South, Peaslee Arrow’s of Time, the world premiere of Elsie Winklers’ Metamorphosis, and William Grant Still’s Symphony No.1 Afro-American, but for the warmth and love that I felt between us. 

It has been bittersweet to say goodbye; especially to this orchestra, which I have loved conducting for the past twelve years. It was especially meaningful to invite my husband, Scott Hartman, to perform Peaslee’s Arrows of Time; a mark of cleverness, beauty and rhythmic wit, a bit like Scott, who was a hit!

It was wonderful to have the Symphony Tacoma Voices join us for the encore; Bernstein’s Make Our Garden Grow. The significance of that moment was especially powerful: we have been planting seeds, and I hope our partnership will continue to bear fruit for many years to come. And to end with the surprise: Radetsky March conducted by my dear friend, Director of Symphony Tacoma Voices, Dr. Geoffrey Boers.

It was also incredibly moving to present the world premiere of Metamorphosis written by talented Tacoma composer Elise Winkler. As we are going through a “metamorphosis” ourselves, the piece felt especially timely. Elise has a deeply poignant voice and an important story to tell, and many audience members remarked on how compelling and moving they found her music.

My heart goes out to this orchestra, Symphony Tacoma for whom I am so thankful! They played spectacularly, especially in William Grant Still’s Symphony No. 1, Afro-American. It felt like true synergy, and we locked in with direction, musical prowess, and passion.

Before the performance of the Still one of our board members, Christina Abby, who shared with the audience the poems of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872–1906), which inspired William Grant Still.

I was so very moved by the poem Christina Abby wrote in my honor:

Sarah, you’ve been

A visionary light

That has shone ever so bright

Illuminating our spaces

With pure, unadulterated delight

Gracing us with presence

Unshakable and unwavering love

Transcending angelic heights

Known to and only by above

Musically mirroring

A mission-bound legacy

Of building access and bridges

To, in and for community

A gift was presented! Our former board chairs Dick Ammerman & Clark D’Elia presented me with a beautiful, engraved baton case inscribed, “For twelve years of visionary leadership, artistry, and inspiration. With deepest thanks, your Symphony Tacoma.”

Thank you, Tacoma, for all the support over the years, including the many wonderful friends, board members, patrons, Symphony Tacoma staff, assistant conductors, collaborators, voices, and musicians. It has truly been an honor! Until we meet again…Good-Luck!

Concert Preview: A Grand Finale 

Celebrate Sarah Ioannides’ final concert on the Symphony Tacoma podium with a robust program featuring Scott Hartman on trombone and a rich blend of timeless and contemporary works that explore history, hope, and the future. Elgar’s vibrant overture captures the warmth and spirit of southern Italy, inviting listeners on a lively musical adventure filled with bright and joyful energy. Delve into the intriguing concept of time’s unstoppable flow through a dynamic and thought-provoking composition that challenges perception and stirs the imagination. Still’s groundbreaking symphony weaves lush African American spirituals and blues into a dynamic orchestral tapestry, offering a profound reflection on cultural identity and resilience.

Article Feature: Boston University’s “Musings”

Associate Professor of Orchestral Conducting & Director of Orchestral Activities, Sarah Ioannides, recently debuted with the Phoenix Symphony, conducting pieces by Boulanger, Tchaikovsky, and Prokofiev with violinist Richard Lin. She then performed with Symphony Tacoma featuring pianist Roman Rabinovich and led Boston University Symphony Orchestra in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the university’s Chorus and Opera Institute. Next week, she will conclude her time with Symphony Tacoma with a diverse program featuring works by Elgar, Peaslee, Elise Winkler, and Still, with soloist Scott Hartman.