Sarah Yang began playing the violin at the age of seven, studying under Min-Jeong Won. She has been a member of the Chattanooga Youth Symphony for nearly a decade, serving as Concertmaster for the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons, Section Leader for 2022–23 and 2021-22, and Associate Concertmaster for the Philharmonic Orchestra in 2018–19. She currently also serves as Secretary on the Members Advisory Council.

At her school, Sarah has held leadership roles in both the Advanced String Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra as Concertmaster several times.  She is also a student at the Blair Academy of the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, where she studies under Jung-Min Shin. 

Her honors include top-10 placements in the Tennessee All-State Orchestra, multiple Associate Concertmaster titles in the All-East Senior Clinics, and winning several regional/ local competitions, including CMTA and CMC Scholarship competitions. She was the 2023 Concerto Competition Runner-up for the Chattanooga Youth Symphony and has received superior ratings in both violin and piano for five consecutive years through the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival.

In college, Sarah plans to pursue a pre-med track while continuing her musical studies, aiming to continue focusing on both her passions in science and the arts.

What is your advice to someone considering auditioning for the CYS?
Don’t be intimidated. Trust yourself and be confident.