Teaching Artistry
Sarah is the composer-in-residence at The Nightingale-Bamford School, where she collaborates with elementary through high school students on original musicals, song cycles, and film scores. Sarah has previously taught with Roundabout Theatre Company, the Metropolitan Opera Guild, and Harlem School of the Arts. Her arts integration workshops use songwriting as a tool for a deepened exploration of common core curriculum, the arts, and our essential humanity.
Sarah is the recipient of a 2-year fellowship from the Jubilation Foundation, which recognizes "individuals with an exceptional talent for helping young people feel fully alive through rhythm -- as expressed in music and dance." Along with Tony winner Jeanine Tesori and Oscar nominee Diane Lane, Sarah has served on the selection committee for the Elizabeth Swados Inspiration Grant, given by The Ziegfeld Club Inc. to an influential female music educator in NYC.
Sarah is the recipient of a 2-year fellowship from the Jubilation Foundation, which recognizes "individuals with an exceptional talent for helping young people feel fully alive through rhythm -- as expressed in music and dance." Along with Tony winner Jeanine Tesori and Oscar nominee Diane Lane, Sarah has served on the selection committee for the Elizabeth Swados Inspiration Grant, given by The Ziegfeld Club Inc. to an influential female music educator in NYC.
Eighth Grade Original Musicals
Eighth grade composers at the Nightingale-Bamford School collaborate on a full-length musical as a capstone to their middle school experience. Students explore adaptation theory as they write book, music, and lyrics for a brand new show, presented as a staged reading at the end of the school year. Students are not only involved as actors, but also as directors, designers, stage managers, and more. Below is a list of original musicals by year:
The Little Prince (2018)
The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls (2017)
Eighth grade composers at the Nightingale-Bamford School collaborate on a full-length musical as a capstone to their middle school experience. Students explore adaptation theory as they write book, music, and lyrics for a brand new show, presented as a staged reading at the end of the school year. Students are not only involved as actors, but also as directors, designers, stage managers, and more. Below is a list of original musicals by year:
The Little Prince (2018)
The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls (2017)
"Shipwrecked"
Composed by The Spleen Gang, a rock band of 5th and 6th graders at the Nightingale-Bamford School, 2018
Mentored by Sarah Taylor Ellis and Hannah Hens-Piazza
Making the Band Mini-mester
Composed by The Spleen Gang, a rock band of 5th and 6th graders at the Nightingale-Bamford School, 2018
Mentored by Sarah Taylor Ellis and Hannah Hens-Piazza
Making the Band Mini-mester
"In the Name of..."
Composed by Class VII at the Nightingale-Bamford School, 2016
Mentored and arranged by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Inspired by sacred stories and big questions from an array of world religions
Composed by Class VII at the Nightingale-Bamford School, 2016
Mentored and arranged by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Inspired by sacred stories and big questions from an array of world religions
"Dream Leap"
Lyrics by Aubrey Lynch
Music by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Performed by students of Aubrey Lynch Extra Essential Arts, 2015
Lyrics by Aubrey Lynch
Music by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Performed by students of Aubrey Lynch Extra Essential Arts, 2015
"To the Clouds and Back"
Composed by Class VII at the Nightingale-Bamford School, 2015
Mentored and arranged by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Inspired by The House on Mango Street, The Outsiders, and A Raisin in the Sun
Composed by Class VII at the Nightingale-Bamford School, 2015
Mentored and arranged by Sarah Taylor Ellis
Inspired by The House on Mango Street, The Outsiders, and A Raisin in the Sun
