Inside Ramacrisna: meet Sarah Maia

“Music is not just art, it is also life”, that’s how Sarah Maia, Music instructor of the Ramacrisna Youth Orchestra, defines what she does. Through music, she not only changed her professional life, but also evolved in her personal issues, building new perspectives for the future.

In this edition of Inside Ramacrisna, we’ll tell her story, who managed to transform her reality through music and today cultivates new talents with her dedicated work.

Start as a student of the Youth Orchestra

Sarah’s trajectory with Ramacrisna began in 2012, as a student of the Youth Orchestra. It was where she received her first lessons in music theory and practice in string and wind instruments. She started by studying the French horn instrument, but throughout her career, she fell in love with the orchestral bass, which is now considered her main instrument.

Since then, she has stood out at the Institute, especially because of her resourcefulness with the instruments and good communication skills. In addition to winning a scholarship, it was through Ramacrisna that Sarah got her first job, joining the Youth Apprentice Program in the musical area.

“For me, this experience was phenomenal. I had never seen another place that would grant an apprenticeship in music,” she said of the opportunity.

When the contract ended, Sarah received another scholarship from the Institute. After graduating, she was given another opportunity: a formal job within Ramacrisna itself. She started as a musical assistant and is now an instructor for the Youth Orchestra. Sarah is also studying to become a conductor in the future.

“I was given very high quality teachers. In fact, one of them is the greatest oboe player in Brazil [Alexandre Barros, first oboe player of the Philharmonic Orchestra of Minas Gerais]. They are renowned teachers. I didn’t expect to get this far. It was a fantastic experience,” she says.

Sarah Maia, instructor in Ramacrisna.

Changes during the pandemic

Sarah’s professional relationship with Ramacrisna was not just about music. She has already helped in other activities at the Institute, working in the areas of administration and at Futurarte, developing sewing skills.

This collaboration with other areas gained a lot of strength, especially during the pandemic. Although students migrated to online classes, Sarah continued to attend the Institute in person to help keep things going..

“I was a little apprehensive, but I had no difficulty adapting to the changes. For me it was a fantastic experience. I learned a lot in matters of office and administration, sewing, crafts. It was wonderful!” said Sarah.

Personal challenges

Ramacrisna also helped Sarah to overcome her personal traumas. At the time she joined the organization, she was facing a complicated situation of depression, with several internal and external conflicts. It was in the music that she started to go through a healing process.

“I had depression, but I didn’t want anyone to know about it. Suffered various attacks, in various ways. When I got into music, it completely changed my life. I found a refuge,” she confesses.

Today, Sarah prides herself on helping young people with the same problems she once had. For her, it is important to play a role that goes beyond that of a teacher, building a relationship of friendship and fraternity with colleagues, with empathy and acceptance.

“For me, Ramacrisna means exousia [power, in Hebrew]. They exert a transforming power over us. They allow a methanoia for our life, a radical change of life, of thought […] I am very grateful. I wouldn’t be where I am today if they hadn’t invested and insisted on me,” says Sarah.

Winning through music is a privilege for few. Many artists do not receive the necessary opportunities to develop continuous work and end up giving up on art and opting for other professions..

The Ramacrisna Institute works to try to change this reality, giving new talents a chance to appear. You can contribute to this initiative by sponsoring the Youth Orchestra. Come be part of the change!