Oboist Sarah Williams experienced love at first sight at the age of four when her parents introduced a piano into their home. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Sarah joined the Hudson Valley Symphony Orchestra in 2025 as Principal Oboe. She has appeared with the Richmond Symphony, the Chelsea Symphony, the Jackson Heights Orchestra, the Hunter Symphony Orchestra, and at Lincoln Center for the New York premiere of John Luther Adams’ Crossing Open Ground. In 2025, she performed with GRAMMY-winning artist Laufey and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at Chartway Arena as part of the Virginia Arts Festival. As a devoted teacher, Sarah maintains a private oboe studio, makes and sells oboe reeds, and is on faculty at the Lucy Moses School at Kaufman Music Center. Her students have received numerous accolades, including First Prize in the Great Composers Competition, Second Prize in the American Protégé International Woodwinds & Brass Competition, and acceptances to prestigious institutions such as the Kinhaven Music School, Mannes Prep, and The Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music. Sarah received her bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School as a student of Elaine Douvas, receiving additional instruction from Nathan Hughes, Linda Strommen, Scott Hostetler, Julia DeRosa, and Melissa Hooper. She regularly performed with the Juilliard Orchestra and was a Teaching Assistant for the Oboe Class. She had the pleasure of serving as Principal Oboist of the New York Youth Symphony for their 2019-20 season and was featured on CNN’s “The Fourth in America” with Billy Ray Cyrus. When she is not practicing or making reeds, Sarah enjoys researching the life and works of Danish composer Asger Hamerik.
Summer Chamber Music Workshop Participants
“I learned how to listen, how to be helpful, and how to be accepting at Apple Hill.”
“I liked the opportunity to play chamber music with talented musicians and excellent coaches in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.”
