STUDENT AND PARENT TESTIMONIALS
 |  |  |
|---|
Reuben was indeed fortunate to study with Dr. Sarah Plum.  Her high expectations, excellent instructional methodology, and the special role she played in mentoring him, were exceptional. Thank you Sarah for preparing Reuben for the real professional music world!
- Diane Kebede, mother of Reuben Kebede, Ist Violinist in the Ivalas Quartet, the graduate quartet in residence at the Juilliard school
Danica truly loves learning with Sarah, and it’s been incredible to witness her growth and confidence flourish and bloom under Sarah’s guidance and instruction. Thanks to Sarah, Danica has significantly improved her technique, gained confidence in her playing, and also developed a deeper love for music. Sarah’s ability to balance technical instruction with fostering a genuine enjoyment of music is something I deeply value and admire.
Thank you again for being such an inspiring teacher.
-from the mother of a young talented MIC student
It has been really beautiful to watch my son bloom under Sarah this last year.  The trust that she has in his ability along with her expertise really helped get him out of a rut.  He's so proud of himself and the progress has been striking! We're really excited to see where else she will take him.
-mom of a new HS student from Milwaukee
 |  |  |
|---|
Sarah Plum is one of the best chamber music coaches I’ve ever worked with. Her knowledge and invaluable lessons had a lasting impact on my musicianship and I will forever be grateful for her guidance and dedication.
-Lauren Kim, MIC Academy violinist who was in my prizewinning chamber group 
I would not be where I am today without Dr. Plum's unceasing eagerness to help me find opportunities and advise me on my musical journey. Alongside being an encouraging and insightful chamber coach, Dr. Plum kindled my love for composition and pushed me toward a universe of new community and new music that has fundamentally changed my worldview as a musician and an individual.
-Zach Guo
My high school daughter enjoys taking lessons from Sarah very much. Sarah is an very experienced and passionate teacher who has an excellent pedagogical knowledge. In addition to being patient and caring, Sarah’s teaching is always focused on being helpful: always giving my daughter tips and solutions to problems.
-mom of an advanced student at New Trier High School
 |  |  |
|---|
Sarah is encouraging, passionate, easy to work with and patient with her students. She is completely dedicated to the development of her students and brings out the best in them. Our kids’ enjoyment of playing violin and music has increased tremendously because of her.
- mother of two former students who studied with Sarah from age 9 through high school, one of whom was a MTNA prizewinner
We switched to Sarah when my child was in 8th grade since she wanted to pursue a career as a violinist. Sarah offered mindful teaching in technique and musicality, but even more, she gave my daughter foundational guidance and a vision of the musician's life that motivated her to put in many hours of practicing. We will forever be grateful to Sarah.
- mother of former student and MTNA prizewinner
When I started with Sarah in 8th grade, I had had four violin teachers in eight years. I had a lot of fundamental technical issues to fix and I was struggling and discouraged. Sarah was able to completely “rewire” how I had been trained and playing violin came more easily and naturally to me. After a few years studying with Sarah, I won the Des Moines Symphony Concerto competition. I studied with Sarah for nearly 8 years, and I know she had everything to do with transforming me from a stiff, awkward violinist to an experienced musician that has soloed with symphonies.
- former student