Sarah Ballard Music

Professional violinist, Teacher and Multi-Instrumentalist

About

My love of music began at a young age when I started violin lessons age 5. Piano soon followed and at the age of 15, I achieved Grade 8 (Distinction) Violin and Grade 6 Piano. More recently, I added Grade 8 Vocals to my certificate wall.Whilst my love of classical music continues today and my preferred instrument is still my 300 year old acoustic violin, I have diversified over the years, added other instruments and genres to my collection including Guitar, Flute, Whistles, Electric Violin and Singing.Now, with a broad range of musical experiences ranging from chamber music to indie/folk and country bands, choirs, schools and writing soundtracks, I work from my home studio just north of Norwich UK, often accompanied by Maddie the dog, combining my musical skills with a passion for creative storytelling.

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Lessons

I have many years of experience in teaching Violin both in schools as a peripatetic teacher, providing private lessons from my home studio just outside Norwich and in communities running workshops and regular groups. I teach using a range of materials, tailoring lessons to each students learning styles. First and foremost, the aim is always to have fun and experience the joy of music. For students wishing to take exams, I use a range of exam boards depending on instrument and student preferences. For those who don't wish to take exams, we work to a programme built around the targets each student sets.
I teach the following:
Violin (Advance). Viola (Intermediate). Cello (Beginner). Piano (Intermediate). Guitar (Beginner). Vocals (Intermediate). Music/Song-writing. Music Theory (Intermediate)Tuition fees are as follows:
30 mins £16.50
60 mins £33
Other lesson lengths available on request as well as one-off lessons to help prepare for performances/exams/auditions.

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Weddings

Weddings
Your Wedding Day is one of the biggest days of your life. Having the right music helps to create those special memories. Everyone is different - therefore, every wedding is different. I work with clients to find the right music to enhance their special day. As a professional wedding violinist with many years experience, you can rely on me to deliver high quality music in a professional manor. I am able to cater for special requests and music covering multiple genres.
I can provide my own PA when needed and am fully insured. I mostly work in Norfolk, Norwich, Suffolk and Essex, covering East Anglia but am also happy to travel further afield.Wedding Ceremony - Violin with Backing Tracks.
Maximum of 60 mins music including Bridal entrance, Signing of the Register and Exit music. I will also play background violin music for 10 minutes before the ceremony starts and again at the end.
From £375 (excluding travel).Wedding Ceremony - Violin with Live Accompaniment (Guitar/Piano)
As above but fully live (no backing tracks)
From £450 (excluding travel)Drinks Receptions and Celebrations
2 x 45 min sets of background music for your drinks reception. Either fully instrumental on violin with backing tracks, or as a singer and guitarist. I can provide a wide range of music to suit every occasion and cater for special requests.
From £450 (excluding travel)As a multi-instrumentalist, I can also provide a unique opportunity to vary the music provided for example playing violin for your wedding entrance music and performing a song with guitar and vocals for the signing of the register.Extras
You can also extend your booking to combine music for your ceremony with background music for your drinks reception or to have more music played before the ceremony whilst guests are arriving. Contact me to discuss your requirements.Gigs, Events and Celebrations
I perform a mixture of my own original songs and covers either on my own with vocal and guitar, or I can bring other musicians with me for a bigger sound. My aim is to provide a relaxed atmosphere with high quality music ideal for family gatherings, festivals or pub settings.I also perform as part of the Folk/Indie group The Family Table. You can find out more about us on our website: www.familytable.co.uk

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Session Work

With a high quality home studio in a dedicated sound-proof room, I can offer remote session work providing real string part for your songs, backing vocals or other instruments. I work to a brief to help turn your project from dream to reality. Whether you have the beginnings of an idea that you'd like help to develop, have scored parts that you'd like recorded, or just know that you'd like the sound of a particular instrument on your recording but don't know where to start, I'd love to help. I can improvise to your requirements, work with you to write parts and record them, or simply record pre-written parts playing by ear, or from sheet music.
I am also available for live session work. Again, this can be using pre-written parts, or through improvisation. Contact me to chat about your requirements. I always offer a free consultation before any commitment to work together is undertaken as I know how important it is that we are both singing from the same song sheet for your project! You can listen to some of my work on my Soundcloud profile and my facebook page.

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Contact

If you'd like to know more or chat about how I can help, send me a message

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