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sara-caswell

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SCC by Luke Marantz (IMG_2351)

If you would like to contact Sara about concerts, lessons, or just to say hello, you can reach her directly at info@saracaswell.com or by using the form below.

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Rachel Caswell
Sara Caswell

saracaswellvln

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

Back in Brooklyn following a memorable couple week

Back in Brooklyn following a memorable couple weeks on the road:

• Photos 1-3: four days spent in Asheville (NC) rehearsing/recording @mindtonic ‘s incredible new work “Society of the Spectacle” at @echomountainrecording (one of the final sessions in that iconic space). Such a joy collaborating with this crew: @will.boyd , @michaelwdavis , Jay Sanders, @zackpagebass , & Steve Alford.

This session was bookedended by two weekends spent with friends & family:

• Photos 4-6: Memorial Day Weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains w/ @chuckowen54 , @perdanielssonjazz , @tamaradanielssonmusic , Jack Wilkins, & @tinam.wilkins for our 2nd annual Burning Squirrel Gathering (IYKYK 😆)

• Photos 7-10: this past weekend in my hometown (Bloomington, IN) w/ Mom & @rachelcaswellvox celebrating the start of summer & what would be Dad’s 94th birthday.

Birthday brunch celebrating what would have been D

Birthday brunch celebrating what would have been Dad’s 94th - love & miss you, ABC! ❤️

Closing the books on the 2024-25 academic year! To

Closing the books on the 2024-25 academic year! To mark the occasion, here is my @berkleecollege Jazz Strings Lab performing their transcription of Miles Davis’ solo over “Straight No Chaser”. To them & all my students at Berklee & @msm.nyc : CONGRATS! 🎉 It’s both a joy & privilege working with you & witnessing your growth, discoveries, achievements & creative ventures. And to my fellow faculty: your artistry, guidance, and wisdom are forever inspiring 🙏🏼. See y’all in September! #jazzstrings #jazzviolin #milesdavis #transcription

TONIGHT! Excited to be part of this historic @carn

TONIGHT! Excited to be part of this historic @carnegiehall concert celebrating the artistry of Alice Coltrane. Featuring @ravicoltranemusic , Michelle Coltrane, @flyinglotus , @harpista , Jeff “Tain” Watts, Robert Hurst, & @davidvirellespiano + members of the Sai Anantam Devotional Ensemble w/ orchestra, arrangements by @mcgmusic . #alicecoltrane @absolutelylive

That’s a wrap! An epic two days at @bunkerstudio

That’s a wrap! An epic two days at @bunkerstudio recording @emiliosolla ‘s new album w/ La Inestable de Brooklyn. Incredible music & brilliant musicians - ever & always a thrill collaborating with these gentlemen: Emilio / Alejandro Aviles / @t_armacost / @davesmithtrumpet / @mfahie / @edwardperezbass / @rgrboccato / @rodolfozanettibando . Thanks as well to @christopherzuar , Brian Montgomery, @raphaellaheromusic , @dennyabrams , & the Bunker team for their eyes, ears, expertise & helping hands from start to finish. 🙏🏼

Back in Brooklyn following an incredible three day

Back in Brooklyn following an incredible three days in Denver recording composer @shelbierassler ‘s brilliant suite “Portrait of an Unquiet Mind” featuring master drummer @joefarnsworthdrums & this amazing ensemble: @patbartmusic / @seanyboymusic / @modernpaulitics / Reuben Rogers /
@enionmalkah / @andrewkrimm / Evan Shelton / @eirikplaysbass . Grateful to Mark Rabideau for the invitation to be part of this project & everyone who helped make the documentation of it so meaningful - @johnmozfarnsworth / Laura Rabideau / @brokerclinic / @mightyfinestudios

Such an amazing experience premiering “Stryker &

Such an amazing experience premiering “Stryker & Strings Goes to the Movies” last night in front of a hometown crowd! So grateful to @dave.stryker for inviting me on board this project, Brent Wallarab for his gorgeous arrangements & leadership from the podium, the incredible musicians who made last night magical, & to @tomwalshsaxophone , the @iujazzstudies program, & all those at the @iujsom who helped make this event such a success.

Tonight! So excited to be leading the strings in t

Tonight! So excited to be leading the strings in the 1st live performance of “Stryker w/ Strings Goes to the Movies” at my alma mater @iujsom with this stellar crew: @dave.stryker / #brentwallarab / @fittedphonic / @mcclenty_mac / @tomwalshsaxophone / #jeremyallen / @osakaluke / @richarddolemusic / @johnsondavidbrent / IU students & alumni. 7:30pm at the MAC, live-streamed on Live@Jacobs. @iujazzstudies

Spring is finally here!! 🌷 Looking forward to a

Spring is finally here!! 🌷 Looking forward to a month of performances with these amazing musicians at some of my favorite venues @emiliosolla @dave.stryker @joefarnsworthdrums @janiebarnettartist @thejazzgallery @iujsom @dazzle_denver @smallslive @citywinerynyc @carnegiehall
📷: @shervinfoto
Textile jewelry: @pazsintestextilejewelry

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

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

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