Known for her vocal versatility and commitment to new music Sasha Cooke is sought after by some of the world’s leading orchestras, opera companies and chamber music ensembles. 

After beginning piano lessons at age 4, she took to choir and then viola, before committing to voice for her formal music education. 

Her decades-long career so far has included two Grammy awards, numerous competition wins, and performances at some of the most prestigious venues around the world. January marked the release of Ms. Cooke’s new CD, entitled how do I find you, on the Pentatone label. The recording features 17 new songs written by SFCM alumnus Matt Boehler, Caroline Shaw, Nico Muhly, Missy Mazzoli, Jimmy Lopez and several others. It is intended as a tribute to both the struggles and hopes of artists that have been wrought by the pandemic.

Ahead of a performance with the San Francisco Symphony she held a master class for students to share advice and her four principles that serve as her theory on success. 

1. Gratitude 

“Singers are the only flesh instrument, so what you think literally goes into your flesh… If I’m about to go on stage and I’m really nervous I will think “Thank you for being here” “Thank you Berlioz for writing this.” “Thank you dress.” That thought process will shift the way you think and feel and that will shift the way you sound.” 

2. Preparation 

“I’m a big believer in preparation because people pick up on that… Sometimes the person who picks me up at the airport is actually the person who hired me for the job. So from the moment I get off the plane I better be the best version of myself.”

3. Openness 

“You never know what’s gonna come your way so be open to surprises. I never imagined I would do contemporary music, but when I look back, in college composers would ask to premiere something or work on something. Little did I know that I was planting seeds for a career. I’m in the Metropolitan Opera Program and one day I come in and my mentor says, ‘John Adams just requested you to be the lead in his opera.’ Come to find out these seeds I was planting got me a reputation for new music and being a quick study. That travelled to John Adams.”

4. Gut Instinct 

“We performers are constantly getting advice. You should do this, you should do that, that doesn’t sound good. I think there should be a moment for checking in with what you want and what feels right. You are the CEO of your own company.” 

Learn more about studying voice at SFCM.