Described by Chronicler Musical, La Liberté as “greatly virtuosic”, Concert Organist Sarah Svendsen maintains a busy career as a soloist, musical collaborator, educator, and clinician. As both a soloist as well as an ensemble performer, Dr. Svendsen is known for her imaginative and engaging performances, including the athletic, inspiring, and fun performance style of her Comedy Duo, “Organized Crime”. She has performed organ concerti with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and has been recorded for both Radio and YouTube by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC), playing Apocalypsis by Canadian Composer R. Murray Schaffer as well as  Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in d minor.

Svendsen is an active member of the Canadian organ community. She is the Artistic Director for the Summer Organ Academy of the Royal Canadian College of Organists (RCCO), the Moderator for the RCCO Virtual Organ Academy, and she also serves on the RCCO’s National Strategic Planning Committee. Svendsen’s work in this area is focused on developing outreach initiatives for organ appreciation and education, as well as disseminating information regarding organist and musician health and safety.

Dr. Svendsen holds holds multiple degrees in Organ Performance from the University of Toronto as well as the Yale School of Music. Her doctoral research focused on organist occupational health using the lens of music education philosophy and organ pedagogy. Svendsen holds the Church Music Certificate from the Yale Institute of Sacred Music and she currently serves as the Music Director for Rosedale United Church. Sarah was born and raised in rural Nova Scotia an is now based out of Toronto.