Sara Durkin

Sara Durkin is a Ph.D. candidate in Music Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where her research focuses on student self-assessment and world music education. She is an active choral conductor who presents at NAfME National and State conferences and at professional and collegiate music education seminars, and frequently adjudicates regional festivals. She has previously served on the MMEA Executive Board, as Choral Festival Chair for the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association, and as the MA Northeastern District Choir Manager for two years. Prior to her appointment at Gordon College, Sara was the Choral Director and Arts Department Head at North Andover High School for nearly 20 years.

A 2017 ACDA International Conductors' Exchange Fellow, Durkin worked with professional choirs in Montevideo, Uruguay, and with the choir of the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba in Argentina. Her reflections on the exchange were later featured in an interview with the ACDA Choral Journal.

Sara holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Providence College and a Master's degree and Education Specialist degree in Vocal Music Education from Auburn University.