Sarah Cullins began her teaching career in Bogotá, Colombia in 2006, and was soon invited by the Universidad Central to design and implement its first voice and opera curriculum, a program she led until her return to the U.S. in 2013. The University’s Opera Workshop continues to thrive, offering public performances in important theaters in Bogotá, as well as in national festivals, and approximately 70% of its repertoire are national premieres.
Because of its intense and effective program, the Universidad Central voice department quickly became the most renowned of its kind in Colombia, transforming operatic training and the diversity of cultural presentations nationwide. Graduates, as well as current students, appear with important orchestras and opera companies in Colombia, the United States and Europe, and have won all categories of Colombia´s national voice competition, as well as full scholarships to postgraduate programs abroad.
Back in the U.S., Sarah founded the Youth Opera Company of Vermont, now a registered nonprofit, which offers a variety of unique training and performance opportunities to Vermont’s up-and-coming vocal talent, such as opera-scene programs, abridged opera productions, audition workshops and an intensive summer Gilbert & Sullivan camp. The YOC also gives back to the community with performances for the general public and in schools, and through programs such as the pandemic-inspired Project Serenade, offering outdoor socially-distanced concerts at senior residences and community centers throughout Chittenden County. In the fall of 2022, a school-residency program will begin, guiding high school choral programs in producing their own version of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas.
Sarah has taught at the University of Vermont and Northern Vermont University, maintains a large private studio, and is a frequent guest technician at high school and community choirs. She also serves as the chair of the Education and Outreach Committee of the Opera Company of Middlebury board, and with her colleague Dawn Pierce, leads the OCM Young Artist Program.