Sarah Willis

Born Maryland, USA, British citizen. Lived with family (father was a journalist) in USA, Tokyo and Moscow before moving to England age 13. Began playing the horn age 14 at school, later studied at the Royal College of Music Junior Department. Studied Horn and Piano for 3 years at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Private horn lessons in Berlin with Fergus McWilliam, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra 1991-2001 2nd Horn Staatsoper Berlin under Daniel Barenboim. During this time played also as a guest with other orchestras such as London Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Royal Philharmonic and appeared throughout the world as a soloist and in various chamber ensembles. 2001 became the first female member of the Berlin Philharmonic ́s brass section as 4th Horn. Various acclaimed solo CD recordings such as Rosetti Double Horn Concertos and Brahms Horn Trio. Is involved in the Zukunft@BerlinPhil Education projects, enjoys creating and presenting Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra concerts for children. Interviews conductors and soloists for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra ́s Digital Concert Hall. In 2011 presented live to 33 million viewers during the Final Concert of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra. Performed at the Festival in 2012.