The set may have been short and sweet, but the SFCM talent was big and bold.

SFCM graduates Sarena Hsu (violin) and Alexandra (Allie) Simpson (viola) performed with pop star Sabrina Carpenter for her performance at NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert in December 2024.

“It was such a thrill to walk through the hallowed halls of NPR!” Simpson said. “The staff was all super nice. Someone even let me use their desk to eat my sandwich. I like to think my bit of spilled mustard left an indelible mark on the world of journalism,” she added.

Sabrina Carpenter performs with Allie Simpson (right).

Simpson got the opportunity through her relationship with Hsu. “Sarena is absolutely killing it as a freelance violinist in the recording world in LA! She called me at the last minute when her local violist had to drop out.”

As of January 2025, Carpenter's performance has more than eight million views on NPR’s YouTube channel. Simpson appreciated the pop star’s musical knowledge and professionalism: “I absolutely fell in love with her! Not only is she a top-notch musician, but she really understands her band and how to get the sounds she wants.” 

Allie Simpson and Sarena Hsu.

In addition to Simpson and Hsu, Carpenter had almost a dozen other live musicians on cello, guitar, drums and keyboards. Carpenter performed six songs—including some of her biggest hits, like “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste”—all from her six-time Grammy-nominated sixth album, Short n’ Sweet. 

While at SFCM Simpson studied with viola teacher Dimitri Murrath. She credits him and her time at SFCM for preparing her to take on challenges like this. “When I was at SFCM, I took every opportunity to record and put myself in front of the camera,” Simpson continued. “On-camera work is a specific skill that everyone should learn and develop, and SFCM has always been on the cutting edge of music technology so take advantage of everything this school offers.”

Tiny Desk Concerts is a video series of live concerts hosted by NPR Music at the desk of former All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen in Washington, D.C.The first Tiny Desk Concert came about in 2008 after Boilen and NPR Music editor Stephen Thompson left South by Southwest frustrated that they couldn't hear the music over the crowd noise. Thompson joked that the musician, folk singer Laura Gibson, should just perform at Boilen's desk. A month later Boilen arranged for her to do just that, making an impromptu recording and posting it online. The name is taken from Boilen's 1970s psychedelic dance band Tiny Desk Unit. (Boilen retired from active Desk duty in 2023.)

As far as advice for current students, Simpson’s advice is simple: “Say yes to everything. Work hard, and be professional and prepared at every gig,” she continued, adding, “Work on your sight reading! Can't stress that one enough, too many talented young players give the wrong impression of their level when they have to sight read.”

SFCM is no stranger to the Tiny Desk: In 2023 Music History and Literature faculty Sarah Cahill performed at the famed “stage” to showcase her The Future Is Female project.

Learn more about studying at SFCM.