Sandra began studying bassoon at 13 with Dr. Shelly Unger where she participated in the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Talent Development Program, the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Emory's prep and collegiate ensembles and area chamber groups.
From eighth grade throughout high school Ms. Bailey was principal bassoon in Georgia or Nevada's Top All-State ensemble, winning the Georgia Music Educator Association Scholarship for best wind player her senior year. She spent part of her high school years at the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts where she was principal bassoon with the academy's premiere symphonic band and philharmonic orchestra, and also played saxophone with the jazz band. While in Las Vegas she was also the principal bassoonist with the Las Vegas Youth Harmonic and winner of Nevada's 2008-2009 Command Performance. Her musical accomplishments during her junior and senior years in Atlanta culminated in winning the Jack Kent Cooke Artist Scholarship, which gave her the opportunity to appear and perform on From The Top, a nationally syndicated radio show, as well as enabled her to purchase a bassoon.
While at Summer Bassoon Extravaganza, Emory Bassoon Days, the University of Georgia and elsewhere, Sandra performed in master classes led by Carl Nitchie (Atlanta Symphony principal bassoon), Bob Williams (Detroit Symphony principal bassoon), William Winstead (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra principal bassoon) as well as Jeff Keesecker (Florida State University bassoon professor), Roger Soren (Colorado and Louisville symphonies) and Kristin Wolfe Jensen (University of Texas-Austin bassoon professor). Ms. Jensen is also co-director of the biennial Meg Quigley Vivaldi Competition for young women bassoonists from the Americas.
In 2010 Sandra attended Northwestern University's Summer Music Institute for high school students. In 2011 she participated in Boston University's Tanglewood Institute and Bassoon Workshop where she studied with Richard Svoboda (Boston Symphony principal bassoon) and Suzanne Nelsen (Boston Symphony principal second bassoon).
Sandra received a full scholarship to Northwestern University where she studies with Chris Millard (National Arts Centre Orchestra principal bassoon) and Lewis Kirk (Lyric Opera of Chicago and Santa Fe Opera orchestras bassoon & contrabassoon). When not engaged in musical pursuits, she enjoys eating at buffets, watching comedic shows and spending time with friends and family.
MORE ON: facebook | youtube
