Sarah Sew

Sarah Sew is a Professor of Violin, Head of Strings, and Head of Chamber Music at the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) since August 2018. She specializes in violin performance, chamber music, audition training, and orchestral excerpts. Her teaching emphasizes independent learning and technical mastery paired with artistic interpretation.

Education: Studied with Maurice Hasson, Howard Davis (Royal Academy of Music, London) and Friedemann Eichhorn (Hochschule für Musik Franz Liszt Weimar). Elected ARAM in 2018.

Research/Performance: Active as guest concertmaster, soloist, and director with orchestras globally (e.g., BBC Symphony, RTÉ NSO, EUYO). Curates the Beckett Chamber Music Series, exploring intersections of music and literature. Recordings include works with BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and films like Harry Potter and Downton Abbey.

Awards: Recipient of prestigious awards including the Maisie Lewis Fund Award for her Wigmore Hall debut and Emanuel Hurwitz Award. Holder of J & A Beare and Pavlovíc prizes.

Advising/Orchestras: Served as Concertmaster of EUYO (2010–2012) and RTÉ Concert Orchestra (2013–2015). Sectional tutor for EUYO, NYOI, and youth orchestras in Greece/China. Adjudicator for competitions and exams at junior/degree levels.

Labs/Teams: Artistic Director of Beckett Chamber Music Series, bridging music with Samuel Beckett-inspired interdisciplinary collaborations.