Sarah Hatt is a pianist, private teacher, and collaborative artist currently residing in Niceville, Florida, where she operates an independent piano studio. A native of Oklahoma, Sarah began piano lessons at the age of 4. As a young pianist, she regularly participated in local and state piano auditions and competitions. At the age of 12, she was awarded the Sonatina Medal in the National Guild of Piano Teachers Auditions while studying under Mickey Lytle. In June of 2002, Sarah received a full scholarship to the Amadeus Piano Festival at the University of Tulsa where she played in a master class with guest artist Olga Dashevskaya. She has studied with Dr. Thomas Lanners at Oklahoma State University, Dr. John Olsen at Eastern New Mexico University and Professor Lois Henry at Northwest Florida State College. Sarah is currently completing credits for a Bachelors of Music degree in Piano Performance.
Sarah has been teaching private and group piano lessons since August of 2000. While teaching in New Mexico, she was a collegiate member of the New Mexico Music Teachers Association and served as an adjudicator for the New Mexico Federation of Music Clubs Festival in February of 2012. Sarah is an active member of the National Federation of Music Clubs, the Florida Federation of Music Clubs, and Choctaw Bay Music Club. She served as chair of Choctaw Bay Music Club’s Sonatina Spectacular event for four consecutive years.
Sarah began her teaching career in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where she taught over 20 students while attending Oklahoma State University full-time. In 2009, she moved to Clovis, New Mexico, where she continued teaching until moving in 2012. While living in Florida, 2012-2017, Sarah taught a vibrant piano studio with over 50 students weekly. Upon moving to Colorado in the summer of 2017, she continued lessons with many of her students from Florida over Skype and FaceTime, and a few local area students as well. In 2019-2020, Sarah taught privately while living in Montgomery, Alabama, and is currently re-establishing a studio in the Niceville, Florida, area as well as online.
As a collaborative artist, Sarah has accompanied the Oklahoma State University Singers conducted by Dr. Mark Lawlor and the Stillwater Honor Choir, a children’s choir directed by Dr. Julia Haley. While living in New Mexico, she accompanied the Clovis Community College High Plains Choral for three seasons directed by Karolyn Sailer. Sarah also collaborated with students at Eastern New Mexico University in recitals and collegiate auditions. In 2011, Sarah attended the New Mexico Intercollegiate Band as pianist, representing Eastern New Mexico University. While residing in Florida, Sarah accompanied the Okaloosa Chamber Singers in their final season, directed by Dr. Marilyn Overturf. She also worked closely with the C. W. Ruckel Middle School choral program for two years, accompanying for festivals and special events. Each February, Sarah also collaborated with Ruckel Middle School and Niceville High School band students for solo and ensemble performances in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
Sarah is married to the love of her life and is proud to be called an Air Force wife. She likes the color turquoise, loves anything chocolate and her favorite holiday is Thanksgiving! When she is not teaching or practicing the piano, Sarah also enjoys diy projects, cooking, photography, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.