Biography

      Sascha Groschang, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, recently completed a graduate degree in cello performance from Mannes College of Music where she studied with Fred Sherry and served as principal cello. Sascha holds a bachelor's degree in cello performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music where she served as principal cellist of the Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra and Opera Orchestra. She has served two seasons with the Des Moines Symphony where she has had the privilege of performing with Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Nadia Salerno-Sonnenburg, Johnathon Biss and Robert Levin. She has also performed with Sharon Isben, Vladimir Feltsman and Pepe Ramero. In addition, Sascha held an associate position in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for the 2006-2007 season.
      Sascha has performed numerous solo recitals and as an 2008 Artists International Special Presentation Winner, will be giving her solo debut at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall in February of 2009. She has appeared at Carnegie Hall many times as a chamber and orchestral musician, including as a featured soloist with country artist Clay Walker, and as associate principal of the National Youth Symphony. She has also participated in the Banff International Orchestra Festival. In addition, she has been a featured performer for Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver (MO), Governor Bob Holden (MO) and the United States Department of Labor. She has received scholarships from Mannes College of Music, Aspen School of Music, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Mayfield Towns Memorial Scholarship Fund and Kodak (Young Leader's Award). She was also a Missouri ASTA finalist in 2000, and served four years in the Missouri All-State Orchestra (associate principal).
      As a chamber musician, Sascha has worked with members of the Orion String Quartet, the Mendelssohn String Quartet, the Mannes Trio, the Philadelphia Quartet, Margo Garrett, Jacob Lateiner, Donald McGinnis and Leon Fleisher. In 2005, she participated in a series of chamber music concerts with members of the Kansas City and Des Moines Symphonies. From 2006-2008, she served as a graduate assistant in chamber music at Mannes College of Music and, in 2007, participated in the Juilliard ChamberFest. From 2000-2006, Sascha was a member of The Helios Quartet, a professional quartet in Kansas City, MO, where she performed in hundreds of weddings and social functions. Currently, she is the cellist and coordinator of the Juniper String Quartet, Trio and Duo in New York City. Sascha also has over ten years of teaching experience and many of her students have earned "I" ratings at regional and state contests and have gone on to pursue music at the university level.
      In addition to classical music, Sascha is an avid performer of non-traditional and popular styles such as folk, jazz and contemporary, worship, rock, alternative, broadway and film music. She has extensive recording experience, including sessions for the recording artist Ashanti and Rhino Records. As a live performer, she has played at many eclectic venues around New York City including: Rockwood Music Hall, Bowery Poetry Club, Googie's Lounge, the Mercury Lounge, Bar 4, the Tea Lounge, the Lion's Den, Arlene's Grocery, the Bitter End and the Knitting Factory. She recently performed in the off-broadway show, "Matthew Passion," and plays frequently at broadway/cabaret venues such as Don't Tell Mama, the Lamb's Club and La MaMa's Club. She has performed with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra and has a long history of collaborations with composer Mark Hayes. Currently, she performs regularly with the band Barnaby Bright, who has been heard recently on the NBC television network.
      Sascha also enjoys theatre and vocal music. In 2004, she appeared and was the musical director for "They Came from Just Off Broadway," and appeared in the world premiere of the new musical Joan of Ark (Joan). From 2003-2006, Sascha worked as a cantor for Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church and has appeared as a soloist in some of Kansas City's biggest churches such as Unity Temple on the Plaza and Center for Spiritual Living. She has also appeared as a vocal soloist with the Kansas City Symphony. Currently, in addition to her work as a cellist, Sascha also works as a freelance vocal soloist in New York City.

For more information on Sascha's current projects, please see her Upcoming Performances page.