Detroit-native SARA CHIESA is routinely sought-after as a Music Director, Collaborator, and Educator. She has performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. In 2021, she rejoined the music faculty of Utah State University as Professor of Vocal Coaching and Collaborative Piano. Previously, she served as Professor of Music at Molloy College in New York City, where she also music directed the opera ensemble. Sara has been the Resident Guest Artist Coach with l’Opéra de Montréal, Fort Worth Opera, and Detroit Opera (formerly known as Michigan Opera Theatre). 

During the tumultuous time for the arts in 2020-21, Sara maintained an active musical presence producing over 40 music videos, four full recitals, and several remote opera projects. During this time, she was honored to be the Pianist/Recording Engineer for the project The Black Composer Speaks, a recording of collected songs by Black composers. This project was created in partnership with Thomas Hampson of the Hampsong Foundation and Dr. Louise Toppin and Dr. Scott Piper of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

Recently, along with two of her university students, Sara programmed a concert of Dichterliebe and Songs of Travel, where she served as Music Director/Pianist alongside Director, Vanessa Ballam. In January 2020, Sara was the Music Director/Pianist for the first fully-staged production of Richard Strauss’s Four Last Songs with soprano, Cristina Bakhoum, and director Jennifer Williams. This immersive, multi-media performance came to life at The Alchemical Studios in New York City.

Sara has worked at diverse places throughout the U.S. and abroad, some of which include the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy; the Prague International Piano Masterclasses; Virginia Opera; Arizona Opera; Opera Saratoga; North Carolina Opera; l’Opéra de Montréal; Utah Festival Opera and Musical Theatre; Syracuse Opera; and New Opera Singapore.

Sara holds piano performance degrees from Oakland University (B.M.) and Bowling Green State University (M.M.), as well as a Doctor of Music in Collaborative Piano from the Florida State University.