A Masterclass with Sarah Viens

Thank you for joining us for an evening of trumpeting illumination as Sarah Viens, Principal Trumpet of the Pacific Northwest Ballet, Tacoma Symphony, and Auburn Symphony, works with four high school students from the Portland area on their Spring solo/ensemble competition pieces.

Tonight’s Program

  • Mason DeVault: Slavische Fantasie, Carl Höhne (1860-1927)

  • Claire Hagele: Rustiques, Eugene Bozza (1905-1991)

  • Colton Unruh: Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, Paul Hindemith (1895-1963)

  • Cameron Williams: Trumpet Concerto Mvts II & III, Joseph Haydn (1732-1809)

About the Students

Mason DeVault: Rex Putnam High School, 11th grade

Mason DeVault is a member of the Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra (PYCO) and often subs in the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP). Aside from playing trumpet, he is a developing composer of music and enjoys mountain biking, taking many trips to trail systems.

Claire Hagele: Mountain View High School, 11th grade

Claire Hagele is a talented trumpet player serving as Principal Trumpet in Mountain View High School's award-winning Wind Ensemble and Jazz I, as well as Drum Major. Notable achievements include earning 3rd place with her brass quintet as a freshman at the WMEA State Solo/Ensemble Competition, placing 3rd with her trumpet solo at the same competition her sophomore year, and serving as Principal Trumpet in LCRMEA regional honor band both years. Claire has also been involved in trumpet choir, low brass ensemble, pit orchestra, and symphony orchestra. Outside of music, she enjoys spending time with her dogs, tinkering with her 1977 Civic, and, most importantly, sleeping.

Colton Unruh: West Linn High School, 12th grade

Colton Unruh is a senior at West Linn High School. He plays trumpet in his school’s symphonic band, symphony orchestra, and is the lead trumpet in his top jazz ensemble. Outside of music, he really enjoy sports, specifically basketball, but enjoys all sports and plays in all of his school’s pep band games. He is currently taking trumpet lessons, and plans on continuing to play trumpet in college.

Cameron Williams: Sherwood High School, 12th grade

Cameron Williams is a Senior at Sherwood (Oregon) High School and a student of David Bamonte of the Oregon Symphony. He formerly studied trumpet with Richard Elliot of Newberg, Oregon. He is currently the principal trumpet of the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) and Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra (PYCO). He was the co-principal trumpet of PYP and principal trumpet of PYCO for the 2023/2024 season. He is a two-time state finalist in trumpet (2nd Place – 2024, 3rd Place – 2023) and two-time district champion in trumpet. In 2024, he performed at Carnegie Hall with the Sherwood High School Wind Ensemble.

About Sarah

An active performer in the Pacific Northwest, Sarah Viens is Principal Trumpet of the Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra, Symphony Tacoma, and the Auburn Symphony. Sarah frequently performs with the Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, The Fifth Avenue Theater, Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, and the Portland Opera. Outside of the PNW, she has performed with the San Francisco Opera and The Cleveland Orchestra. In the summers, she plays with the Sunriver Music Festival and serves as their Librarian and Orchestra Manager. She also has performed with the Britt Festival Orchestra, Chamber Music Northwest, and the Oregon Bach Festival. Sarah is an accomplished teacher and is the trumpet coach for the Seattle and Tacoma Youth Symphony Orchestras and the conductor of the Tacoma Youth Brass Ensemble. Sarah has fifteen years of teaching experience in higher education, having previously taught at the University of Oregon and Willamette University. Sarah values her diverse performing career, enjoying collaborations with a variety of chamber and recording artists and ensembles, brass bands, jazz ensembles, alternative, funk and rock bands.