Sarah Tolar Scott moved to New York City after completing a Masters degree in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas. Shortly after arriving in Manhattan, Sarah met Valerie Romanoff and became an integral member of the Starlight Orchestras team. Sarah had been singing since she was 5 years old, but performing in Valerie’s band was her first introduction to the creative and spontaneous art of providing music for private events.
Soon after joining Valerie’s band, Sarah became the musical director and event producer. Sarah was learning the skills required to read a crowd, inspire people to dance and design an evening unique among all others with music. In a short time Sarah was leading her own Starlight Orchestra, helping run the company, and has performed for many prominent clients, including Martha Stewart, Clive Davis, Barbra Walters, Henry Kissinger, and Dan Rather. Sarah’s band was featured as “the ultimate wedding band” by the San Francisco Chronicle after providing the dance music for the Bass wedding held on Treasure Island.
Sarah takes great pride in producing new band concepts with Starlight, and in customizing each and every event to suit her client’s desires. She works hard to make every event exceptional and magical. Sarah also beams with pride when asked about her band. “They are the finest group of musicians and performers in the business. We make people dance! And when my band members aren’t performing with Bette Midler, the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, or Jersey Boys on Broadway, we are making music that inspires my clients and their guests to celebrate love and life. We get the best gift of all, making people happy!”
Valerie and Sarah’s collaboration has been an incredible experience for both women, as they have helped each other grow as musicians, bandleaders and producers. Together they have designed entertainment for many major events (including Superbowl XLV), have cultivated new talent in many genres, and have guided Starlight Orchestras and Productions to become a major player in the world of live music for private events. Sarah and Valerie have continued to develop “The Starlight Experience,” which is an 18+ piece ensemble that performs for the country’s most special events, and they often travel and perform with this group.
During this time Sarah also released a CD of her orignal music called “Big Blue Moon” (which can be ordered at CD BABY) and has been performing with her band at nightclubs throughout the city. When her schedule allows, she also tours with international recording act “CHROMEO,” and is featured as one of the “Chromettes.” She has performed on television on the Letterman Show, the Tonight Show, and The Jimmy Fallon show.
Sarah takes great pride in all of her musical projects; she is a perfectionist and she loves making people happy, especially on the happiest days of their lives. The below “thank you letter” from a recent client highlights what makes Sarah so special.
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2011 12:33 PM
To: Sarah
Subject: Thank you!
Dear Sarah,
There are no words to express our appreciation for the wonderful,
amazing music, energy, warmth and excitement you created for Amanda and
Sayles. The music was the heart of the celebration and was nothing
short of perfect! We could have danced all night and in fact that is
what everyone did!
The reggae band was just the right touch for cocktails by the pool. The
music for the ceremony matched perfectly with the feelings of joy and
love and the music at dinner added immeasurably to everyone’s enjoyment
of the food and conversation. But your band was extraordinary! So many
guests could not say enough about your music and your energy. We wish
we could have thanked each member of your band and crew individually but
I hope you will do that for us.
Sarah, you are a delight in every way and an enormous talent to boot!
We can’t thank you enough for making this celebration magical.
Many, many thanks!
Laurie and John
