Sarah Small

Sarah Small is a freelance viola da gamba player based in the UK. She first came across the instrument whilst studying recorder at the Royal College of Music and instantly fell in love with its beguiling sound.

She holds a Master of Performance with Distinction, having studied with Reiko Ichise in London and Hille Perl in Bremen, Germany, during which time she was generously supported by the Linda Hill Scholarship, the Robert McFadzean Whyte Award, the Countess of Munster Trust, and Help Musicians UK.

Sarah performs and records with various ensembles across the UK and Europe, including Fretwork and her own ensemble, Hex, as well as making appearances on radio stations such as BBC Radio 3 and Radio France and performing in such venues as The Globe Theatre, St Mark’s Basilica, and Buckingham Palace.

Recent projects include Good Again?, a 10-week, 31 venue, 4,500km self-supported concert tour by bicycle around the UK, drawing attention to musicians’ unsustainable touring practices and the role of live music during a time of multiple crises.

As a committed environmentalist and passionate advocate for cycling, Sarah has pedalled over 14,000km with her viola da gamba, continuing to travel and tour almost exclusively by bicycle to give lecture recitals, workshops in schools, and concerts with programmes including original compositions responding to the environmental changes experienced on her travels.