Meet Mrs. Batchelor

Sarah Batchelor (nee Seymour) graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Education in 2000.

Sarah is a Conductor (both choral and instrumental) Pianist, Soprano, plays her Trumpet "Felix", Euphonium "Brunhilde" and is a Percussionist.

She is the proud mom of 5 very diverse and unique children, most of which have been released into the wild as adults. She lives in Airdrie Alberta with her Partner Bermont and her youngest son. She has been teaching music at Northcott Prairie School in Airdrie since 2021.  Currently she is teaching Kindergarten - Grade 5 General Music and Middle School Bands.

Prior to moving to Airdrie, Sarah taught in Wainwright Alberta where she developed a large rural band program. Her musicians participated in provincial, national and and international ensembles. She is proud of creating the Buffalo Trail Schools Honour Band which provided enrichment opportunities and travelled internationally every 2 years. In Wainwright, Sarah had bands from grades 7-12 and a variety of Choirs and ensembles throughout the year.

In 2019 she was honoured to be a part of the first Los Angeles Conducting Institute at CalTech. Learning from greats like conductor and instructor Dr Glenn Price, and composer Dr H.R. Reynolds. 

Sarah also had the privilege to study with Dr. Dale Lonis as he mentored her in developing her adjudicating and assessment skills.

Being neurodiverse is a super power that helps her to approach music and instruction in an outside the box manner. She prides herself on her flexibility and resilience. Sarah is open and honest about her diagnosis of ADHD and models strategies that will help her musicians to do better not just in rehearsal but in every day life. By being herself, she gives permission to others to do the same.

Sarah was proud to be acknowledged at the Airdrie Mayor's Night of the Arts as Arts Educator of the year 2025.

Sarah is a passionate music educator who enjoys collaborating with others. She hopes sharing her journey will help others to be their best selves and love music as much as she does.

Some Highlights of her Career so far.....

Airdrie Arts Educator of the Year 2025

I am proud to be recognized for the hard I do, and that we all do. I see this award as an opportunity to advocate more for the arts in my division, community, and beyond.

Los Angeles Conducting Institute  2019

This is one of my favourite pictures of all time. I call it "Validation".

Pictured with the great Dr. H. Robert Reynolds, clearly my feelings about what the Trombones are playing at this moment are accurate.

BTPS Honour Band - Spain Tour 2019

Touring Barcelona, Zaragoza, and Madrid with 44 students from 3 schools in Central Alberta.

We performed in this Catherdal....we didn't know before we traveled our exact venues. Here I am thankful not to have been hit by lightening after conducting a Pop concert in a Sacred venue.

Conducting "Jurassic Park" 

One of my favourite ways to recruit for my programs is by creating memorable performances.

This costume was money well spent.

Marching to the Beat of a Different Drummer

In response to teaching music during the pandemic I build a class set of home made practice pads. This made drumming in the regular classroom possible because it was portable and quiet.

Live Streaming "Could You Hug a Cactus" 2021

The pandemic brought many challenges - and performance was one of them. Thanks to this, I can now live-stream like a teen age boy...see I even was taught to by one....

Wainwright High School Graduation 2018

There is something very special about being able to conduct and make music with your own children. I was blessed to have my oldest 2 children perform with me over the years.