Sarah Hulslander Pignatello, NCTM

Piano, Voice, Accompanying, Theory, Music History

A resident of Avondale, Arizona, Sarah Hulslander Pignatello, NCTM, is an active teacher, recitalist, and accompanist in the Phoenix area.

She received her training under the late Lois Emery Nielson and Steinway artist Stephen Nielson, going on to earn a performance degree under Dr. Luis Sanchez of Texas A&M University-Commerce. She graduated with honors from Valley City State University. During her studies she performed in numerous international festivals in Austria, Italy, and the United States, and played in masterclasses for such distinctive musicians as Jane Magrath, Igor Resnianski, John Owings, Robert Palmer, and Sooyung Park.

A significant aspect of healthy playing is a sound approach to the keyboard, an aspect of piano performance that has greatly interested Sarah in both playing and teaching. She has attended the Keyboard Wellness Seminar presented by the renowned, new-Jersey based pianist Sheila Paige, and studies with Ms. Paige on a regular basis.

Sarah is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music by the Music Teacher’s National Association. Since 2009 she has maintained a select home studio consisting of students of all ages. She remains very active in church music, accompanying, playing, arranging, and conducting for churches and conferences across the nation. Collaboration with other performers, including strings, brass, and vocal soloists and groups, is another of her passions. She is also on staff as a collaborative pianist for the choir departments of the Chandler and Tolleson school districts.