About Sarah Pearson, Orchestra Conductor & Musical Leader

I wanted to share a little about what I’m spending time on at the moment, some of the amazing opportunities I’ve had during my career, the inspiration and training that helped me get where I am today, and what I enjoy doing when I’m not conducting orchestras!

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Current Focus

  • Founder and Music Director/Conductor of The Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus of Tennessee

  • Music Director and Conductor of The Cleveland Pops

  • Assistant Conductor of the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA)

  • Adjunct Professor of Music at Cleveland State Community College

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Career Accomplishments

Sarah’s journey as a conductor reflects her passion, leadership, and commitment to excellence. She is recognized as one of Chattanooga and Cleveland's most gifted young arts leaders and maintains a full calendar of guest conducting, education, and community engagement. Represented by Vida Art Agency in Zurich, Switzerland, she continues to expand her international presence across Europe.

She has conducted distinguished ensembles such as the Buffalo Philharmonic, Anderson Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA), Lviv Philharmonic Orchestra, and many others. In 2024, she made her Carnegie Hall debut with the New England Symphonic Ensemble and Mass Chorus, and has been invited to return on May 30, 2026.

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Musical Training

Sarah’s musical roots trace back to Virginia, where she began studying piano, voice, and flute at age five. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Tennessee Temple University and earned dual Master’s degrees in Instrumental Conducting and Music Education from Lee University School of Music. She further refined her craft at the Juilliard School of Music, studying under renowned conductors and participating in masterclasses and festivals around the globe.

Sarah’s principal mentors include Maestro Robert Bernhardt, Dr. David Holsinger, Maestra JoAnn Falletta, Maestro Larry Rachleff, and Donald Schleicher.

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Personal Life

Outside of music, Sarah enjoys exploring history, reading, running, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. She is the great-great-granddaughter of U.S. President Benjamin Harrison, and a descendant of President William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison V, a signer of the Declaration of Independence—an American legacy that informs her sense of purpose and leadership.