SARAH HOBEN
Newry
Summary
I am a professional soprano with expertise in classical singing and musical theatre, as well as piano proficiency and teaching experience. I am skilled in project scheduling, bookkeeping, and applying special education techniques to enhance learning outcomes. I am also experienced in social media marketing and maintaining composure in high-pressure environments, demonstrating leadership in educational growth.
My interests include language learning and research. I am proficient in Spanish and currently learning Italian and French. I have experience singing in a wide range of languages including Czech, German, Latin and Russian. I have achieved Distinctions in LCM Diploma in Classical Singing and Grade 8 Musical Theatre. I am currently studying for my Grade 6 piano with the hopes of progressing to Grade 8 to help with my teaching and accompaniment skills.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Events Crew Assistant
Queen's University
Belfast
10.2024 - Current
- Assisting with professional gigs, coordinating setup of audio and lighting equipment.
- Maintaining cleanliness of stages and green room to ensure optimal conditions.
- Executing heavy lifting tasks and managed electrical equipment safely.
- Performing key holder duties, ensuring security and access control.
- Sustained high levels of organisation with attention to detail.
Member of Chorus Development Programme
Northern Ireland Opera
Belfast
02.2024 - 12.2025
- Prepared meticulously for roles to deliver authentic performances
- Trained under renowned vocal, movement and acting coaches, continuously enhancing musicality and technical proficiency
- Adhered strictly to rehearsal schedules, contributing towards efficient production management
- Balanced expressiveness and technique, achieving impactful stage presence
- Collaborated with fellow opera singers in stage productions
- Attended voice lessons diligently; ensured consistent improvement in vocal delivery
- Performed in large and small scale performances throughout Belfast
- Maintained and improved skills through regular practice and performances
- Self-promoted on various social media platforms to raise awareness and gain greater audience
- Maintained physical stamina for stage performances and dance routines
Music Tutor and Teaching Assistant
Junior Academy of Music, Queen's University
Belfast
09.2024 - Current
- Facilitate music fundamentals and musicianship for Junior Academy of Music groups aged three to twelve.
- Establish a safe, nurturing environment through effective classroom management.
- Adapt teaching materials to support special needs students and ensure inclusivity.
- Identify and nurture individual talents to enhance performance in instruments or vocal skills.
- Attend regular training on safeguarding procedures and teaching methodologies.
- Manage large groups of children to maintain focus and engagement.
- Provide cover for choir staff as needed.
Singing Teacher
Self Employed
Newry/Belfast
09.2021 - 01.2026
- As a self-employed singing teacher, I manage a studio of 23 students aged 4-17.
- I provide private vocal instruction to children of all skill levels. I design personalized lesson plans tailored to each student's goals and abilities, focusing on vocal technique, breath control, pitch accuracy, and performance skills to prepare them for exams and musical competitions.
- I create a supportive and encouraging learning environment to help my students build confidence and achieve their musical aspirations.
- I maintain knowledge of recent teaching methodologies and research
- I analyse the social trends and most popular posts to discover what people are most influenced by and how I can use this to improve my advertising.
- I use Canva and photo-printing websites to create attractive posters and business cards, as well as create and post videos of my own singing.
- I set personalised targets for pupils, communicating progress through regular parent correspondence.
- I stay up-to-date on examination requirements to adequately prepare students for exams and practicals.
Sales Assistant
Next
Newry
05.2023 - 09.2023
- As a sales assistant at Next in Newry, I assisted customers with finding and selecting clothing and accessories. I provided personalized styling advice to ensure customers had a positive shopping experience. I handled cash transactions, processed returns and stocktake, and helped maintain the store's visual merchandising standards.
Sales Assistant
The Wild Rose Boutique
Newry
06.2021 - 11.2022
- As a sales assistant at The Wild Rose Boutique in Newry, I provided one-to-one customer service to create a personalized shopping experience. I maintained a clean and organized store environment, restocked merchandise, handled cash transactions and telephone calls, was responsible for security of the store and helped customers find their perfect dress. I have developed strong product knowledge and have a keen eye for fashion trends to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Music and Audio Production
Queen's University
Belfast 09/2022 - 06/2025
A-Levels -
Our Lady's Grammar School
Newry 09/2015 - 09/2022
Skills
- Classical and Musical Theatre Singing and Performance
- Piano playing
- Teaching
- Language learning
- Scheduling
- Customer Service
- Spreadsheet creation
- Project scheduling
- Bookkeeping
- Psychological understanding
- Innovative lesson planning
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
- Calm under pressure
- Leadership
LANGUAGES
English
Native
Spanish
Upper intermediate (B2)
Italian
Elementary
French
Elementary
German
Beginner
Czech
Beginner
Russian
Beginner
Latin
Beginner
REFERENCES
- Paula, Woods, 0333 005 5575, Next Newry
- Eliza, Hughes, elizabethrelfall@hotmail.com, The Wild Rose Boutique Newry
AWARDS
Finalist School Soloist of the Year, BBC NI March 2022, I was a finalist in the televised singing competition in which hundreds of individual students from schools took part., Finalist Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year March 2022, I was a finalist in the Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year amongst thousands of entries., A Level School Service Award June 2022, Awarded an A Level School Service Award for representing the Music Department of my school in various televised extracurricular events throughout my final year., Supreme Vocal Championship Cup, Portadown Musical Festival April 2022, Winner of the Supreme Vocal Championship Cup that was awarded on the final night of the festival for best overall performance in the entire festival., Paddy Forbes Memorial Slaver, Portadown Musical Festival April 2022, I was awarded the Paddy Forbes Memorial Slaver on the final night for best overall performance in the entire festival., Margaret Hand Perpetual Cup, Newry Musical Feis April 2022, Margaret and Joseph Guanine Cup, Newry Musical Feis April 2022, Michael Mathers Perpetual Cup, Newry Musical Feis April 2022, Newry Chamber of Commerce Cup, Newry Musical Feis April 2022, Newry Perpetual Challenge Cup, Newry April 2022, Doreen Whitten Cup, Newry Musical Feis April 2019, I received the Doreen Whitten Cup for the highest piano mark in the entire festival., Geraldine Carr Cup, Newry Musical Feis April 2019, I was awarded the highest mark in Grade 3 piano., John Bell Memorial Cup, Newry Musical Feis April 2019, Winner of the John Bell Memorial Cup for U16 Songs from the Shows with my performance of 'Summertime' from Porgy and Bess., Borough Trophy, Portadown Musical Festival, Awarded the Borough Trophy on the final night of Portadown Musical Festival for best overall voice in the entire competition.
Community Service
Crisis Café, Newry, Mental Health Ambassador, 2020-09, 2021-06, As a Crisis Café Mental Health Ambassador, I met up with groups of teenagers and young adults who were struggling with their mental health and offered them consolation, advice or just a friendly face if they needed it. This introduced me to lots of young individuals who entrusted me with their worries and problems, giving me a greater understanding of how to help someone who is going through a difficult time in their life. I also learnt how to be a better listener and how to offer appropriate advice.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Music and Audio Production Class Representative at Queen's University, Belfast November 2023 — Present My role as a class representative involves listening to the suggestions and opinions of my classmates and presenting this feedback to the Student Voice Committee, voicing any concerns my classmates have to the appropriate member of staff, attending Student Voice Committee meetings and report all appropriate information back to my class, forwarding minutes, liaising with the School Representative and staff to make important changes that will benefit the course and improve the education of my classmates, and act as an important link between the students and staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A Level Music A
- A Level Biology B
- A Level Geography B
- Trinity Grade 8 Singing Distinction
- London College of Music Musical Theatre Grade 8 Distinction
- Trinity Grade 5 Music Theory Pass
- Trinity Grade 4 Piano Pass
Affiliations
- Languages and Linguistics
- Reading
- Research
- Psychology
- Fashion
Accomplishments
Winner in Trinity Talent Class of 2021
I received this national award for my 'creative flair' in my Grade 8 Classical Singing performance.
Finalist School Soloist of the Year, BBC NI
March 2022
I was a finalist in the televised singing competition in which hundreds of individual students from schools took part.
Finalist Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year
March 2022
I was a finalist in the Northern Ireland Young Musician of the Year amongst thousands of entries across Northern Ireland.
A Level School Service Award
June 2022
Awarded an A Level School Service Award for representing the Music Department of my school in various televised extracurricular events throughout my final year.
Supreme Vocal Championship Cup, Portadown Musical Festival
April 2022
Winner of the Supreme Vocal Championship Cup that was awarded on the final night of the festival for best overall performance in the entire festival.
Paddy Forbes Memorial Slaver, Portadown Musical Festival
April 2022
I was awarded the Paddy Forbes Memorial Slaver on the final night for best overall performance in the entire festival.
Margaret Hand Perpetual Cup, Newry Musical Feis
April 2022
Margaret and Joseph Guanine Cup, Newry Musical Feis
April 2022
Michael Mathers Perpetual Cup, Newry Musical Feis
April 2022
Newry Chamber of Commerce Cup, Newry Musical Feis
April 2022
Newry Perpetual Challenge Cup, Newry
April 2022
Doreen Whitten Cup, Newry Musical Feis
April 2019
I received the Doreen Whitten Cup for the highest piano mark in the entire festival.
Geraldine Carr Cup, Newry Musical Feis
April 2019
I was awarded the highest mark in Grade 3 piano.
John Bell Memorial Cup, Newry Musical Feis
April 2019
Winner of the John Bell Memorial Cup for U16 Songs from the Shows with my performance of 'Summertime' from Porgy and Bess.
Borough Trophy, Portadown Musical Festival
April 2022
Awarded the Borough Trophy on the final night of Portadown Musical Festival for best overall voice in the entire competition.
Certification
Distinction LCM Classical Singing Diploma
Distinction Trinity Grade 8 Classical Singing
Distinction LCM Grade 8 Musical Theatre
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Events Crew Assistant
Queen's University
10.2024 - Current
Music Tutor and Teaching Assistant
Junior Academy of Music, Queen's University
09.2024 - Current
Member of Chorus Development Programme
Northern Ireland Opera
02.2024 - 12.2025
Sales Assistant
Next
05.2023 - 09.2023
Singing Teacher
Self Employed
09.2021 - 01.2026
Sales Assistant
The Wild Rose Boutique
06.2021 - 11.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Music and Audio Production
Queen's University
09/2022 - 06/2025
A-Levels -
Our Lady's Grammar School
09/2015 - 09/2022