Sarah Beske is Director of Programs at the Music Institute of Chicago (MIC), bringing more than a decade of experience designing and leading educational initiatives for nonprofit organizations, arts institutions, and higher education partners. She specializes in program strategy and inclusive learning design, with a focus on building scalable programs that support educators and learners from early childhood through adulthood. Her work combines evidence-based curriculum design, data-informed decision-making, and a commitment to expanding equitable access to high-quality music education.
Throughout her career, Sarah has led innovative educational programming for organizations including The Royal Conservatory of Music, the Seattle Symphony, the Aspen Music Festival and School, and Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development. With a strong interest in the intersection of performing arts and technology, she has collaborated with digital learning and technology teams, including TELUS Digital and Future Tense Media, to integrate music education curricula into online learning platforms.
Sarah has also contributed to peer-reviewed research and presented her work at national and international conferences. Her collaborations include partnerships with Carnegie Hall, the League of American Orchestras, Musical Mentors Collaborative, and the LA Phil's Take a Stand initiative.
In addition to her leadership in arts education, Sarah is an accomplished cellist who has performed on radio and television. She holds a Master of Music in Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Drawing on her background as both a performer and educator, she creates meaningful educational experiences that empower learners, support educators, and strengthen organizations through thoughtful program design and evaluation.