Sarah Tolar - Live (2018)

Sarah Tolar is an accomplished performer, vocalist, songwriter, producer, and music educator. She has released two full-length albums of her original compositions, performed throughout the United States, Europe, China and Canada and appeared on several television shows including the Today Show and The Late Show with David Letterman.

Sarah graduated with honors from the University of North Texas with a Bachelor of Music and a Masters of Music in jazz performance. While in Texas, she began teaching private vocal lessons and her jazz quartet performed throughout Dallas and Ft. Worth.

Upon graduating, Sarah moved to New York City and began working as a live music producer for Starlight Orchestras. She directed a 15-piece ensemble giving performances in NYC and the Tri-State area, Florida, and California, and had the opportunity to work with James Taylor, Jon Bon Jovi, and Billy Joel among others artists. During her years as a live music producer, Sarah held the position of Creative Director at Starlight Orchestras, arranging vocal and instrumental music and developing artists.

Sarah’s first album, Big Blue Moon, produced by pianist David Cook (Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson) features Sarah’s original jazz-folk compositions. While promoting Big Blue Moon, Sarah opened for Grammy-winner Christopher Cross, appeared on the television show Better Connecticut, and toured the East Coast as well as Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Big Blue Moon has been featured on radio stations across the United States. Artist and composer, Rosana Eckert arranged two compositions from Big Blut Moon for vocal jazz ensemble performances throughout the U.S.

Sarah’s second release, Vision, is a collaboration with drummer/composer Bill Campbell (Kurt Rosenwinkel, Meshell Ndegeocello) and includes songs written with Campbell along with Sarah’s original compositions.

As a vocalist, she has toured and performed with electro-funk duo Chromeo, performing at Lollapalooza, Coachella, The Roundhouse in London, Canada’s Juno awards as well as television appearances including Conan on TBS . She performed several shows as the featured vocalist with the critically acclaimed Bjorkestra. Sarah has performed on the Joe Scarborough show, singing with Scarborough and Grammy-winner Lyle Lovett and on Broadway for a special performance of “Bombshell,” the live adaptation of NBC’s TV show SMASH. Sarah has recorded studio vocals for a number of television shows and commercials, working with notable composers/writers including Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman, Ned Ginsburg, and Brad Ross.

Sarah is a passionate music educator and conducts a vocal and piano studio that offers instruction in jazz, musical theater, and pop vocal styles, beginning piano, music theory, songwriting, and vocal improvisation. She is on the voice faculty at The 92nd Street Y in NYC and hosts the main stage of the annual 92Y Festival every fall. Her students have won many awards including the Carnegie Hall Forte International Competition and The Young Arts International Competition.