Sarah Riskind is a choral conductor, composer, and fiddler based in Peoria, Illinois. As Music Director of the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana since 2021, she has highlighted stunning repertoire from many historical periods, from pairing Dietrich Buxtehude with Caroline Shaw to exploring the meaning of canon in a concert entitled The Three Bs (featuring music by Margaret Bonds, Harry T. Burleigh, and Lili Boulanger). She has also spent many summers as choral director and faculty at The Walden School’s summer programs for creative musicians in Dublin, New Hampshire. At Walden, Riskind has written chamber music for the Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, Hub New Music, the International Contemporary Ensemble, and Ensemble Dal Niente as part of the Walden School Faculty Commissioning Project.
In addition to chamber music and art songs, Riskind has a large catalogue of choral music. Many of her original works are choral settings of Jewish texts, including a number of pieces accompanied by piano and violin. Exceptions include the four-movement Oz Cantata for chorus, soloists, and string quartet and In Tír na nÓg for chorus, piano, and traditional Irish band instruments. Some of her music is published by Pavane Publishing, but most is available on her website, J. W. Pepper, and Swirly Music. She has been commissioned by choirs from Ohio to Washington.
Since 2023, Riskind has been playing fiddle and singing in the Peoria-based traditional Irish band Turas. She also composes original fiddle tunes and collaborates with her partner Brian Davis on his original songs.
Previously, Riskind was the Director of Choral Activities/Assistant Professor of Music at Eureka College in central Illinois. She conducted the Eureka College Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Instrumental Ensemble, as well as teaching courses in composition, improvisation, musicianship, and conducting. In 2023, she received the T. A. Abbott Award for Faculty Excellence from the Higher Education and Leadership Ministries of the Disciples of Christ, with which Eureka College is one of fifteen associated institutions. She holds a DMA in Choral Conducting from University of Washington, an MM in Choral Conducting from University of Wisconsin at Madison, and a BA in Music from Williams College.