Bio
Sarah Manasreh-Decker is a Palestinian-American clarinetist, scholar, activist, and educator. Currently she is the Assistant Professor of Clarinet and Music Theory at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and principal clarinet of the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra and Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra. Sarah is active with the International Clarinet Association serving as the editor for The Clarinet [Online] and on the Social Media Committee. She is a Backun artist, performing exclusively on Lumiere clarinets, and a D’Addario Artist, performing exclusively on Reserve Classic Reeds. Prior to her appointment at UWSP, she was the Instructor of Clarinet at Alma College and Albion College.
Sarah’s playing has been described as “powerful, rich, and virtuosic.” As a chamber musician, she performs with Trio des Éléments, PoCo Duo, The Kindred Duo, and The Way Out, a unique group that combines classical musicians with the accessibility of bar music. As a solo musician, Sarah often pushes the boundaries of traditional clarinet performance – engaging in commissions, premieres, and unusual programs – most notably her experimental new music project The Big Black Blotch.
Equity, diversity, and inclusivity in music is a driving force behind Sarah’s teaching and performance. In 2020, she established The Student Coalition for Equity in Music, a student directed group that leads conversations about disparities in the Western Classical Tradition and experiments with accessibility in performance practice. She has been the chairperson for the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Policy Committee since 2021. She is a fierce advocate for fair representation for composers and performers. Sarah founded and co-hosts the International Clarinet Association’s Clarinet and Community series – a videocast interview platform that explores how community building is achieved through clarinet performance, composition, and pedagogy.
Sarah completed her Doctor of Musical Arts at Michigan State University under the tutelage of Dr. Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr. She earned her Master of Music Performance from the Royal Northern College of Music and her Bachelor of Music Performance from Florida State University. Her primary teachers include Elsa Ludewig-Verdehr, Chris Swann, Deborah Bish, Frank Kowalsky, and Lori Lovato.
https://backunmusical.com/blogs/artists/sarah-manasreh
Research Interests
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Music
- Mental Wellness in Music Education
- Composer/Performer Collaborations
- Clarinet and Electronics Clarinet and Electronics – A Recital, November 2018, Stevens Point, WI Campus:
- Student Coalition for Equity in Music, Faculty Founder (2020 – Present)
- Mental Wellness Student Support Group, Faculty Founder (2020 – Present)
Professional Memberships
- International Clarinet Association – Social Media Committee
I enjoy helping students reach their potential, and this joy is found in the little moments and successes that students have every week! It’s a journey of small joyful moments.
Sarah Manasreh-Decker