Sarah Darling (Viola)
Where did you grow up? Carlisle, MA 
Where do you live now? Boston, MA
Educational Background: B. A. at Harvard, then a year at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and three at the Hochschule fuer Musik Freiburg, while simultaneously playing with the Amaryllis-Quartett. Then a Master's at New England Conservatory, where I'm currently finishing a DMA.
Personal info (family, kids, pets, etc.) Couple younger brothers. Keeps you in shape...
How did you get started in music? The usual story - lessons as a little kid, and then later, an epiphany! I still remember the day I discovered music could express emotions - a very exciting moment. After that, it was pretty much a given that I would have to spend my whole life doing something music-related.
When did you join the Rhode Island Philharmonic? Perhaps four years ago? Hmm.
What are your non-RIPO musical activities? I play in a variety of groups, of many shapes and sizes. A Far Cry, a conductor-less and completely democratic chamber orchestra operating out of Boston, is one of my mainstays - as is Musicians of the Old Post Road, a baroque chamber group that plays creatively programmed early music concerts in historic venues. I help to direct Harvard's Baroque Chamber Orchestra, and (at this point, I just need to toss in a list) also enjoy playing with the Boston Ballet Orchestra (and occasionally the Symphony), Emmanuel Music, the Callithumpian Consort, Cambridge Concentus, La Donna Musicale, Les Bostonades, the Rosetta Trio, Quantz and Co. - you get the drift. Essentially, I enjoy playing all the time.
What is your favorite RIPO memory to date? Gotta be an off-the-cuff remark of Larry's. But which?
Do you teach? If so, how can someone get in touch with you? I am just starting to teach (too busy being a student until now!) and can most easily be reached at my website, www.sarahdarling.net.
If you couldn’t be a musician, what would be your dream job? The million dollar question! I find comparative religion fascinating and could see myself working with that in some capacity. Likely, the dream job would be related to words and ideas, whatever it was.
What are your non-musical hobbies? Reading, running, dreaming about doing more martial arts, and tango! Tango in particular I recommend to the entire world. It is at once more intimate and less overtly sensual than people assume, and it's an incredible model for communication.
Who or what has been your greatest influence, musical or otherwise? Many wonderful influences out there. I'm inspired by any creative thinking, emotional honesty, complex answers to simple questions or intelligent/witty constructions, no matter where and how these things show up (and they are definitely not linked to a few "special" individuals!")
What is your favorite music? What are you currently listening to? Anything that plays with my expectations and creates a sense of joy - doesn't matter what genre it's in.
What/where do you like to eat in the Providence area? Extremely fond of the Indian place in the food court - I've rarely met a nicer group of people anywhere and the cheap and generous and veggie-friendly portions are delicious.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us? I'm delighted you're here, and so grateful that you're engaging in the wonderful work of listening to music!
If you have any web sites or social media sites you’d like to link to from riphil.org, please list them here: sarahdarling.net, which in turn will link to many of the groups I play with.