Sara Austin is living her dream as the orchestra teacher at West Chicago Community High School. Inspired by her love of music and a strong family influence, Austin has turned her lifelong passion into a career where she impacts her students every day.

“When I first met Ms. Austin, I was impressed by her energy, her enthusiasm for music education, her eagerness to do a fantastic job here at WEGO, and her intuitive care and concern for her students as a whole,” Choir Director Brandon Fantozzi said.

From an early age, Austin’s father, a music enthusiast with an extensive collection of records, nurtured her love for music. His steadfast support encouraged Austin to pursue the double bass, with him attending her recitals, concerts, and providing much-needed snacks during rehearsals.

“He is like the music guy, you know, like should have been in radio, like has more records than he has pairs of clothes,” Austin said.

Teaching orchestra allows Austin to marry her passions for music and working with others. Offering private lessons to children marked her early foray into teaching, and her first year at WeGo has taught her more than all four years of college.

“Miss Austin is a kind and thoughtful teacher. She is a good teacher and she has a passion for what she does,” freshman Shane Johnson said.

Austin’s journey to becoming an orchestra teacher began in high school when Tim Fawkes, her orchestra teacher at Glenbard East High School, inspired her with his dedication and balance between work and personal interests.

“My hope for the future is that Ms. Austin will have the opportunity to guide and impact young people through the vehicle of music. Music is something we can use to enjoy life and build community, and Ms. Austin fully embraces that,” Fawkes said.

Austin’s love for music extends beyond teaching. Her favorite classical composers include Berlioz, Prokofiev, and Florence Price. She admires Berlioz’s romantic and ambitious works, Prokofiev’s powerful storytelling, and Price’s resilience in navigating challenges as a Black composer.

“She didn’t even know his name. He premiered the piece in church. The prayer he read premiered it so she could be there for her. He’s crazy though. He’s original Loverboy, right? Crazy,” Austin said, referring to Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique.”

Self-care is another of Austin’s passions. She advises her students to prioritize sleep, eat until they’re full, and avoid spending time with people who bring negativity.

“Get sleep. Always eat until you’re full. And don’t do things or be with people who make you unhappy,” Austin said.

As a first-year teacher, Austin is learning to build her confidence while managing the challenges of the classroom. Despite occasional self-doubt, her commitment to her students and her craft shines through.

“I can marry my passion of working with other people and my passion for music together. And I can make a bigger impact on those around me,” Austin said.