About

Sarah Koussevitzky is a saxophonist, educator, nonprofit arts administrator, and arts marketing professional whose work centers on expanding access to jazz education and building community through music. She earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of Texas at Austin in 2019, where she studied Jazz Composition while also completing coursework in Arts Management and Administration. She is beginning her Master of Music in Jazz Performance at Arizona State University, where she looks forward to further developing as both a performer and educator.

While at UT Austin, Sarah interned in the Development Department at Ballet Austin and founded Jazz Girls Texas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women and girls in jazz through workshops, mentorship, networking events, and educational programming. Under her leadership, the organization expanded from a single Jazz Girls Day event into a statewide initiative that later achieved 501(c)(3) status and developed professional networking opportunities through its Jazz Womxn program.

Sarah has worked with several leading jazz organizations, including the Jazz Outreach Initiative, where she served as Social Media Manager and participated in educational initiatives through the Jazz Educators Network and Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Regional Festivals. She also served as Brand Coordinator for Jazz Houston, supporting marketing, educational programming, and community engagement alongside Vincent and Belinda Gardner.

In addition to her work in arts administration, Sarah has built a thriving private music studio, developing an original Jewish piano curriculum while teaching piano, saxophone, flute, and clarinet. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes confidence, creativity, and personal growth, helping students develop not only musical skills but also discipline, resilience, and self-expression. She remains active as a performer, educator, and clinician.

As an educator, performer, nonprofit leader, and mother, Sarah is committed to lifelong learning and meaningful community engagement. Through her graduate studies and professional work, she hopes to continue growing as an artist and educator while contributing to the future of jazz education.

Past Projects

Five Step Jazz Quintet

Dozen Street Jam Session Leader

Bopka Quartet

Austin High Standards Jazz Quintet

Ellington at the Elephant Big Band

Nutcracker Suite at Parker Jazz Club

Jazz Girls TX Co-Founder

Benefit Concerts

Mozarts Summer Concert Series

Female Musician Networking Events

Jazz Girls TX Virtual Summit

“Sarah is such a gifted musician and teacher with an incredible balance of discipline and order, and at the same time kindness and leaning in. She brought out music in every one of my (8) children she worked with. I have my naturally musical children and not, and she really showed me every single one of them to play music whether it comes naturally or not. My children gained so much from being able to see if they could do something difficult and I am sure it helped them believe in themselves more. I have had about 6 piano teachers over the last 18 years and I have never experienced a teacher with the gift that sarah has of being able to bring out the music in everyone along with the sidekick gift of discipline, structure, and routine, giving my kids their own sense of responsibility for their music practice.”

-Zeesy, Past Parent