Perk Up, Pianist!

Often referred to as the next Victor Borge, Sarah Hagen has transformed her award-winning role as “concert pianist” into a stand-up, or rather, sit-down comedy. Pairing anecdotes from the road with some of her favourite pieces by Chopin, Debussy, and Liszt, Sarah takes audiences deep inside the world of a classical musician as she shares her earnest efforts to keep her spirits up in the midst of troublesome times. Part storytelling and part recital, Perk Up, Pianist! has been described as “one of the best hours I’ve ever spent at the Fringe” [The Coast (Halifax)].

Sarah Hagen
Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen is known for transforming the classical concert experience with her deeply expressive playing and playful stage presence. Described as “outstandingly inventive” and “flawlessly played,” Sarah brings a refreshing energy to the piano, whether she’s performing Bach or exploring forgotten gems by 18th-century women composers. Her performances go beyond the traditional recital, often weaving in elements of storytelling, theatre, and even stand-up comedy.

Sarah has toured extensively across Canada and Europe, and has twice performed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. She’s earned accolades including Artist of the Year from both Ontario Contact and the BC Touring Council, and her recordings have garnered ECMA and Music PEI awards. A natural collaborator, she’s shared the stage with some of North America’s finest classical musicians and performed with symphonies from BC to PEI.

“Hagen’s performance has made me reconsider my classical music likes and dislikes.”
-Smithers Interior News

“…it was immediately apparent that this would be a piano concert beyond the norm. …Hagen is one of the most expressive piano players that I have ever seen perform.”
– The Guardian (Charlottetown)

“Her comic timing is as solid as her musical meter.”
– The Edmonton Journal