Sara Blessing

Sara Blessing is Assistant Professor of Instruction in Choral Music Education. Prior to her appointment at UNI, she was Director of Choral Activities at Graceland University.  Sara has conducted a variety of regional honor choirs and has been a guest clinician at several schools around the Midwest. In 2016, she was the recipient of Graceland University’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Teaching, for which she was nominated by her students. In April of 2016, her choirs performed the world premiere of “You Guided Me” after commissioning the work from composer Michael John Trotta. Under her direction, the Graceland choirs have gone on 4 tours, performing in several states across the U.S., including Colorado, Missouri, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Washington D.C., Pennsylvania, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, and California. In addition to teaching, Sara is an active soprano soloist.

Throughout her studies, Sara has had the privilege to work with many choral mentors including René Clausen, Morten Lauridsen, Ola Gjeilo, John Rutter, Jo-Michael Scheibe, Rollo Dilworth, Eric Whitacre, James Mulholland, Michael John Trotta, Timothy Stalter, David Puderbaugh, and Tim and Sandra Peter. She states: “The passion, diligence, drive, artistry, and scholarly work of these individuals has been an inspiration to my work as a choral conductor.”

Sara is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association, both the Iowa and Missouri Choral Director’s Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the College Music Society. In addition, she is a member of both the Golden Key International Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi – honor societies which recognize academic achievement.

Outside of teaching, Sara loves to travel, camp (“glamp”), hike, play piano, read and spend time with her family and friends.

Education: 

B.A. - Music Education and Vocal Performance, Luther College
M.M. - Choral Conducting and Pedagogy, Oklahoma State University
D.M.A - Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy, University of Iowa