In March 2011, graduate student Sarah Jenkins participated as one of eight students selected among Master's and Doctoral students from around the nation as a semi-finalist in the Graduate division of the Student Conducting Competition held in conjunction with the American Choral Directors' Association National Convention. Adjudicators for the competition included such notable musicians as Weston Noble, Daniel Bara, Craig Arnold, Simon Carrington, and others. In addition to participating in the competition, Sarah attended concert sessions, workshops, and masterclasses led by premiere performers and educators in the choral field. Sarah's travel expenses were partly paid for by funds allocated by the graduate program.
At Ithaca College, Sarah studies in the conducting studios of Dr. Janet Galvan and Professor Lawrence Doebler. In addition to her studies in the choral department, Sarah also has undertaken orchestral conducting studies with Dr. Jeff Meyer, and voice with Ivy Walz. Prior to her tenure at Ithaca College, Sarah taught public school general music in the Shelby County School System in Memphis, Tennessee. Sarah completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she studied conducting with Dr. Mark Simmons and voice with Dr. Amy Yeung.