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Rachel Caswell
Sara Caswell

saracaswellvln

✨GRAMMY® Nominee (Best Improvised Jazz Solo)
🍎NYC-based
📝Berklee College of Music / Manhattan School of Music / NYU / New School faculty

Looking back on the past 4 days… • my 2nd time

Looking back on the past 4 days…
• my 2nd time subbing on @gypsybway - amazing show, cast, orchestra, & crew! 💫 Grateful to @tomoakaboshi for inviting me on board & trusting me with this incredible music.
• guesting with the @killdeer.trio (@wyattambrose / @evanjagels / @bask1n ) at @thevandyck , a great new performance room in Schnectady NY. A wonderful night playing with these gentlemen in such a historic space. Thanks to Chris Sule for hosting us & Joan Mikalson for her hospitality 🙏🏼
• being the guest artist for the 2nd annual @hartwickcollege Jazz Festival, a day spent playing, discussing, & celebrating the music we love. Thanks to Evan for the invitation, the HJF attendees for their inspiring performances, & the Hartwick faculty & staff for helping make this gathering possible. (photo: @lord_hanlon )
• rolling into NYC just in time to catch Maestro’s @genebertoncini ‘s 88th birthday celebration at @mezzrowjazzclub . Love this man dearly, my friend & colleague for over 25 years. Happy Birthday, Geno!!! 🎂 Thanks to @sleepinbee & @jbassnyc for putting the awesome party together.

Excited for a fun weekend of music in upstate NY w

Excited for a fun weekend of music in upstate NY with @killdeer.trio ( @wyattambrose 🎸/ @evanjagels 🎻/ @bask1n 🥁) - come hang with us if you’re in the area!

• TONIGHT 4/4: @thevandyck , Schenectady (NY) - 7:30pm
• Saturday 4/5: @hartwickcollege Jazz Day 2025, Oneonta (NY) - 1-5pm workshops, 6pm concert

I recently stumbled across this photo of David N.

I recently stumbled across this photo of David N. Baker, Jr. & Josef Gingold, two musical geniuses who immeasurably impacted who I am as a violinist & teacher.

DNB started me on my jazz journey when I was eight years old through weekly lessons centered around transcribing, jamming, & tune learning - a way of gaining stylistic fluency he’d learned via his own experiences as a phenominal musician & composer, as well as from his colleagues’ & mentors’, including JJ Johnson, Bob Brookmeyer, & George Russell.

Josef Gingold took me on when I was twelve & for four years was my musical & technical guru through the classical repertoire he’d so brilliantly played as a soloist, chamber musician, & concertmaster, artistry he’d achieved through his work w/ such musicians as Eugene Ysaÿe, Arturo Toscanini, & George Szell.

Grateful for these two whose love for music, community, connection, & teaching helped me find my path in life - & to my parents whose love for & support of their daughters’ musical adventures made these opportunities possible. #davidnbaker #josefgingold #mentors

Ever & always a joy making music with these friend

Ever & always a joy making music with these friends & brilliant musicians. Thanks to @ike.sturm for bringing these groups together this week & to both Greg Wall / @jazzfc2020 & Victoria Sheilds / @sjtlscarsdale for having us 🙏🏼 @jesselewismusic @jschonig @godwinloue @jjwrightmusic @_erinsheahogan_ @alexbrownmusic #jazzmass #jazzatthepost

A number of folk have reached out to me recently a

A number of folk have reached out to me recently asking for recommendations of summer jazz workshops open to string players or summer strings workshops with a jazz component. Here are a handful I’ve either attended, taught for, or know of, though this is in no way a comprehensive list. Please be sure to post any jazz string-friendly camps I missed - would love for us to pool together our camp knowledge! 🎻 It’s worth noting I’ve found many jazz workshops welcoming to string students even though there may not be a dedicated jazz violinist/violist/cellist on faculty - if a particular jazz camp sounds interesting to you, be sure to inquire!

@theswannanoagathering
Swannanoa (NC)
(I’ll be teaching at Fiddle Week)
https://swangathering.com/our-programs/fiddle-week/

@berkleecollege Global Strings Program
Boston (MA)
https://summer.berklee.edu/programs/global-string-program

@stanfordjazz
Stanford (CA)
https://stanfordjazz.org

@jazz_house_kids
NYC / Montclair (NJ)
https://jazzhousekids.org/programs/summer/

@caseydriessen ‘s @blueridgefiddlecamp Brevard (NC)
https://www.blueridgefiddlecamp.com

@christianhowesviolinist ’s Creative Strings Workshop
Asheville (NC)
https://christianhowes.com/creative-strings-asheville-extension/

@mikeblockstringcamp
Vero Beach (FL)
https://www.mikeblockstringcamp.com

@julielyonn ‘s Strings Without Boundaries
Easthampton (MA)
https://www.stringswithoutboundaries.com/about-2/

@bigsurfiddlecamp
Big Sur (CA)
https://www.bigsurfiddlecamp.org

@liveoakfiddlecamp
Hallettsville (TX)
https://liveoakfiddlecamp.com

Django in June
Northampton (MA)
https://djangoinjune.com/artists/

@centrumfoundation ‘s Red Hot Strings
Port Townsend (WA)
https://centrum.org/program/red-hot-strings/

Such an awesome time last week hanging/collaborati

Such an awesome time last week hanging/collaborating with the @usouthflorida Jazz Studies students & faculty! Special thanks to @trombrantley & the @usf_som for inviting me to be part of this special gathering & all they did to make it happen, to @chuckowen54 , @laruenickelson , & @rossstrausermusic for their brilliant artistry & pedagogy, to USF Jazz Ensemble I for their dedication & hard work in preparing this challenging program (y’all rocked it! 🔥), & to @jclaireb3 for her behind-the-scenes magic. #gobulls #usfjazz

Hello, Tampa! ☀️ I’ll be at the @usouthflori

Hello, Tampa! ☀️ I’ll be at the @usouthflorida with long-time friends/colleagues @laruenickelson , @chuckowen54 & @trombrantley for two days of workshops, rehearsals, & a performance with the USF Jazz Ensemble Thursday night (FREE, 7:30pm). The program will feature Chuck’s compositions/arrangements + two new works by @rossstrausermusic - come hang with us if you’re in the area!

Back in Brooklyn following an amazing week at the

Back in Brooklyn following an amazing week at the @moabmusicfest ‘s Winterlude with @pascalleboeuf ‘s Ritual Being (@nick_photinos / @michaelwdavis ). Many thanks to Chelsea, Erin, Josie, @tessalark , the Winterlude family, & the Moab community for all they did to make this gathering so memorable. And a big thank you to Pascal (who just won his 1st GRAMMY Sunday!! 🎉) for bringing us together to play his incredible music 🙏🏼

Having a great time this week at @moabmusicfest ‘s Winterlude w/ @pascalleboeuf Ritual Being (w/ @nick_photinos & @michaelwdavis ). Excited to be sharing the experience w/ the amazing @warptrio connecting w/ the Moab community through workshops, outreach sessions, meet&greets, & performances. More photos to come!… 📸

1st day of the spring semester at @berkleecollege

1st day of the spring semester at @berkleecollege & feeling gratitude for this creative space where my students, colleagues, friends & I are able to lean into our collective love of music & learning as a means of expression, connection, & community. Wishing everyone a positive journey this spring semester!

New music to share! ‘Stryker with Strings Goes t

New music to share! ‘Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies’ from master guitarist @dave.stryker - a collection of iconic big-screen melodies brilliantly arranged by #brentwallarab for a 30-piece studio orchestra with Dave in the spotlight. It was a thrill participating in this project as both concertmaster of this Indiana-based string ensemble & soloist. Thanks so much to Dave & Brent for the invitation, & bravo to all the musicians in this stellar group - an honor making music with you! 🙏🏼 @xavdavis / Jeremy Allen / @mcclenty_mac / @jimpugh.50 / @timothyc933 / @jeff_cp / @andrewniven / @richarddolemusic / @fittedphonic / @markbuselli2023 / Jeff Conrad / @micherremyberre / @ohbuko / @rachelpatrick11 / Anna Czernik / @bgkarrer / @noelletgosling / Tricia Bonner / @marisavotapek / @sagekp / @sarahdrake1702 / Sophie Buselli / @rvmkathy / Derek Reeves / @alexhoberty / @yoonhae_swanson / @s_hawk7

En route to Atlanta for the @jazzednet ‘s 16th A

En route to Atlanta for the @jazzednet ‘s 16th Annual Conference! In addition to attending what will be an inspiring four days of workshops & concerts, I’ll be participating in the following three events. Can’t wait for the hang!

* 1/10 @ 11am: performance - OnWeGo (@davidscottjazz / @shilanthropist / @eric_byers / @saracaswellvln )
* 1/11 @ 2pm: performance - @aheitlinger Jazz Orchestra w/ @johnfedchockofficial & #johnrileydrums
* 1/11 @ 5pm: clinic - Creative Usage & Writing for the Violin in Jazz Ensembles (@chuckowen54 / @saracaswellvln )

Happy New Year from the Caswell Crew! Wishing you

Happy New Year from the Caswell Crew! Wishing you a 2025 filled with friendship, community, laughter, joy, love, light, & adventure 🍾🥂🎉

Last Sunday bake of 2024: Rum-Buttered Almond Cook

Last Sunday bake of 2024: Rum-Buttered Almond Cookies. Happy Holidays, y’all! #rum #butter #almondflour #glutenfree #holidayeats #seasonofsweets @nytcooking ❄️💫🍾🥂

We’re engaged!!! 💍 Living life alongside this

We’re engaged!!! 💍 Living life alongside this kind, caring, thoughtful, devoted, brilliant, & hilarious human these past 8 years has been an incredible gift for which I’m eternally grateful - can’t wait to continue the adventure for the rest of ours days! Love you, MWD! ❤️❤️❤️

My last day of the fall semester at @berkleecolleg

My last day of the fall semester at @berkleecollege :
• a morning/afternoon spent with my brilliant colleagues @eugene.friesen , @cellohang , & @adriananantawan hearing students’ inspiring performances…
• an evening spent in the recording studio with this awesome string quartet ( @hyunsoo100 , @angelavaromusic , @clarafiddlehead , & @queraltgiralt ) producing two of their arrangements…

Grateful to be part of this incredible creative community 🙏🏼 Congrats to everyone on a great semester! See you in 2025…

New music to share! ‘Voyages’ from Grammy® Aw

New music to share! ‘Voyages’ from Grammy® Award-winning woodwind artist & composer @benkonowoodwinds - a tribute to his Japanese-American heritage, this album was inspired by the writings of his Grandfather who emigrated to the U.S. in 1911 at the age of 13. Ben offers listeners a unique glimpse into both his family’s history & his own artistic journey & is a testament to the power of music to bridge cultures & generations. An honor playing Ben’s brilliant music with this crew:

#benkono - woodwinds/compositions
@mikeholober - piano & Fender Rhodes
@petemccannguitar - guitar
@mattclohesy - bass
@jschonig - drums
#saracaswell - violin
@megokura - violin
@loismartinviola - viola
@jodyredhageferber - cello

More info about the album can be found on Ben’s @bandcamp page (today happens to be the final Bandcamp Friday of 2024 when BC waives their revenue share & passes the funds directly to artists). Happy listening & holiday shopping!! 🎵💿

Double dose of @iubloomington sports this weekend…
• @indianafootball : #9 IU beats Purdue 66-0
• @indianawbb : IU beats Maine 78-53
#thanksgivingweekend #familytime #goiu #hoosiers #iufootball #iuwbb @rachelcaswellvox @michaelwdavis

Back to baking, 2024 holiday chapter: Chocolate Si

Back to baking, 2024 holiday chapter: Chocolate Silk Pie. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all! #chocolate #brandy #butter #thanksgivinggoodness #holidayeats @nytcooking 🦃🍁

November photo spill…grateful for the music, fri

November photo spill…grateful for the music, friendships (old & new), & experiences the month held:
• photo #1: a fun pair of shows with @chuckowen54 ‘s ReSurgence (@kategenevievemcgarry / Jack Wilkins / @corey_guitar / @neuenschwandermark / @clarencepenn ) at @caffevivace & @universityoflouisville …
• photo #2: a performance featuring beautiful compositions by @artajekabsone & @sarzantskrists at @thejazzgallery (@ilona.kudina / @zoshazosha / @violawithkayla / Julie Kim / @smithbassist / @keita_percussion ) 📸 by Oscar Zepeda…
• photo #3: recording four songs from vocalist extraordinaire @sternsuzi ‘s library w/ @jesselewismusic & #adamcote …
• photo #4: @thenewyorkpops 2nd concert of their 42nd season (my 20th as a member of the ensemble) at @carnegiehall featuring Tony Award nominee @maxizpad…
• photos #5 & #6: @jodyredhageferber ‘s EcoTones Trio (w/ @camilamezamusic & yours truly) reuniting for a house concert in Nyack & recording session at @oktavenaudio to document Jody’s brilliant new compositions. Not pictured: special guest @rgrboccato , engineer Ryan Streber, & producer @gilevansproject …
• photos #7/#8/#9: @9horsesmusic in performance w/ @woodstockd200 ‘s 140-piece orchestra, part of a 2-day trip meeting with @whscmsorchestra & @uictheatremusic students (we stayed at the @cherrytreeinnbnb , featured in the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day”)…
• photos #10/#11/#12: in concert w/ @yalestrom & Hot Pstromi (@elizabethschwartzstrom / @ehrlich_marty / Fred Benedetti / @jawbassjsw / @peter.stan.94 / @david.licht.71 )

© 2025 Sara Caswell
Photos by Emma Mead & Luke Marantz & Shervin Lainez
Website by Ellanyze

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