Expertise
Dr. Sara Gibbs is originally from Florida and received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Florida Southern College in 2009 and studied with Rita Fandrich, a Tobias Matthay pedagogue. Dr. Gibbs then went on to the University of Memphis and received a Master of Music in Piano Performance in 2011, and studied with the late Sam Viviano (who had been a student of Adele Marcus). Dr. Gibbs then received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Memphis with a minor in Piano Pedagogy in 2023. She studied with esteemed concert pianist, Dr. Cathal Breslin, during her DMA program. Her dissertation topic was “An Analysis of Ronald Stevenson’s Peter Grimes Piano Fantasy.”
While at the University of Memphis, she taught Class Piano from 2009 - 2014. She discovered what an important tool Class Piano is for future choir directors, band directors, orchestra conductors, and musicians in all other fields of the music industry. Empowering students with the skills they learn in Class Piano is a passion of hers. In her over two decades of teaching private piano lessons, Dr. Gibbs strives to lead with a student-first mentality by asking students their goals and then ensuring they receive the technical direction and musical knowledge necessary to help them achieve those goals.
Dr. Gibbs is also currently an Adjunct Professor at Florida Southwestern State College, Music Director at Cypress Lake Presbyterian Church, and Piano Teacher at Yamaha Music School. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and has adjudicated at both the local and state level. Recent performances include recitals with Vincent DiMartino, Rachel Cox, Cindy Scaruffi-Klispie, and in concert with the FSW Symphony Orchestra.