Sarah Charness, a violinist since the age of four, captivates audiences with her vivacious performances and the vibrant sound of her trademark hot pink, six-string electric violin. Her unique musical style – the fusion of classical, pop, and electronic dance music – has thrilled fans around the world. She has toured North America as a soloist with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and has opened for Maroon 5, Diana Ross, Neyo, Flo’Rida, and Jennifer Hudson.
A vibrant pink violin is what Sarah Charness brings to the stage. Her performances have pleased many crowds all over the United States. Guitar Girl Magazine speaks with her about her career thus far.
How would you describe your music to people who have never heard it?
Well I would say my music is really a crossover between electronic, pop, and some classical. I know it’s a lot of different categories but that’s what the best way to describe what I’m doing.
How long have you been playing violin?
I’ve been playing since I was four years old. I started playing classical violin when I was four, and when I was 16, I started doing more electric. I play a viper violin made by Mark Wood.
For Classical Violin, do you have one that is your sentimental favorite?
Yes, I only have one violin for classical and it is an acoustic from the early 1900s and obviously it’s for those reasons it’s very, very special.
You have worked with Josh Groban, worked in modeling and in acting. What has been one of your most memorable moments?
One of my most memorable moments would have to be playing at Madison Square Gardens, that’s just such a special venue. It really meant a lot to me because I’m a native New Yorker and it’s an important place in the city of New York, it’s historical and just really special. Getting to that was just really awesome.
What particular style of music do listen to when you have the time?
I really love jazz, I have always found jazz to be extremely calming and it’s what you’ll find on in my house when I’m not listening to other artists or whatever. It’s just what I turn on when I make dinner or to do whatever at the end of a long day listening to really loud music and being in rehearsals. Listening to just pure jazz standards really relaxes me.
How was your experience working with Disco Killers on We Came to Party album?
It was really cool to pair up with two producer DJs that are so different from myself and one of the really awesome things about Disco Killers is that they have an understanding of string playing and music and just how you can incorporate a violin into a genre of music that typically has not been before. So to me that is what’s really cool about working with them. They’re not just DJs, they’re real musicians and they just really get it if you know what I mean. So, that to me was really special.
Who inspires you?
My parents started me on the violin when I was a little kid, but really the person that inspired me to do what I’m doing and started me onto this path was actually the maker of my electric violin Mark Wood. He is a fabulous teacher and a wonderful, wonderful mentor and has really been there for me throughout my career inspiring me, and encouraging me to continue rocking out to be a real rock star.
If you could play anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
That’s a tough one. There’s so many places I want to go to. It would be something more festival style, something that can really reach a huge broad audience. I don’t know a good answer for that, maybe somewhere in Asia. A cool festival somewhere that can reach a broad audience, somewhere where people don’t have to pay a lot of money. Just something like that would be cool.
What’s next for you?
I’m going back and continuing to make more music which I’m really excited about, I’ve got a big EP that is currently in the works. I’m very excited about that! That’s really what’s next, back to new music, expect continual performances, and I’m just really excited about it.
Who would you like to collaborate with that you haven’t yet?
I would love to collaborate with some bigger DJs. I would love to do something with Swedish House Mafia potentially and maybe do something with DJ Okey , there are so many people that I want to work with but those are some of the guys that I think are on my list. Those are people that are on my DJ list of DJs that I really want to work with, that’s sort of my list.”
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
Well I see myself playing, obviously, maybe not playing the way I play now, but definitely playing. Hopefully, continuing to spread the word, continuing to encourage younger children to play, and doing something in that realm. I don’t know if I’ll be touring or maybe I will be – I really don’t know what I’ll be doing in 10 years. I definitely see myself playing though.
Do you have any advice for other musicians?
For young musicians, or musicians at the beginning of their career, I always say don’t give up and keep going and follow your dreams because life is so short and you really should do what makes you happy. I think that’s the biggest thing, do what makes you happy; don’t listen to what other people tell you if it goes against what your gut tells you, you know, follow your gut instinct.
For more on this talented musician, visit her site HERE.
~ Tiffini Taylor
