Sarah Hughes

Sarah began studying the 'cello aged 6 at Kent Music School. Thereafter she began taking lessons at the Royal College of Music Junior Department, where she studied for nine years with Professor Alexander Boyarsky. Whilst a student at the RCM JD for nine years (until 2014), Sarah passed her Grade 8 'cello with distinction (aged 11) and later gained her ABRSM Diploma in 'cello and Grade 8 distinction in piano, organ, saxophone, music theory and advanced practical musicianship. Aged 11, Sarah was the youngest ever winner of the Maidstone and Mid-Kent Young Musician of the Year. Sarah led the 'cello sections of the RCM JD String, Sinfonia, Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, was awarded the 2012 and 2014 Ida Mabbett and Freda Dinn String Prize, the 2014 Freda Dinn Early Music Prize (for harpsichord), and represented the RCM JD as a soloist in a London Cello Society performance and masterclass. Sarah's final performance as an RCM JD student was at the Royal Albert Hall Elgar Room as the cellist in a Piano Trio with the 2014 BBC Young Musician of the Year, Martin Bartlett. Principal Cellist of the National Children's Orchestra for 6 years, Sarah received a Leverhulme Scholarship for outstanding auditions for each year of membership. Aged 13, Sarah joined the 'cello section of the National Youth Orchestra for three years, playing in events including the BBC Proms, the Queen's Jubilee Coronation Concert at Buckingham Palace, the Cultural Olympiad performance of 'Surrogate Cities' at the Royal Festival Hall, the Derry/Londonderry City of Culture Festival, the Liverpool InHarmony/Tate Movie Project (appearing in the associated BBC documentary), and performances and interviews on Radio 3's In Tune. While studying at the University of Oxford, Sarah was Senior Organ Scholar at Brasenose College. In her second year, she also held the position of Organist of the Christ Church College Choir. In the summer of 2017, Sarah accompanied Brasenose Chapel Choir on a tour to Rome, giving performances in venues across the city. Sarah explored other conducting opportunities throughout her degree, including as a scholar of the Voces Academy and as a guest conductor of the Mariana Voices choir. As a freelance musician, Sarah has recorded with Jake Downs and toured with Mercury music award nominee Erland Cooper. Sarah featured in the 2019 BBC Proms launch video. Sarah was formerly Organ Scholar at St. Laurence's Church, Catford and is now the Director of Music at St. Barnabas' Church, Clapham Common Northside.