Sarah Travis is a visionary leader and passionate advocate for the arts, currently serving as the Executive Director of Ashkenaz, a historic non-profit music venue in Berkeley, California. With a lifelong dedication to music, dance, and community empowerment, Sarah has built a career at the intersection of creativity, education, and social impact.A native of Iowa City, Iowa, Sarah's journey into music began at the age of four when she picked up the fiddle. By sixteen, she was performing professionally, channeling her artistic passion into meaningful performances that bridged her love for music and societal reform. She later attended The Evergreen State College, where she studied business and political science, equipping her with the skills to lead impactful initiatives within the music industry.In 2017, Sarah founded Rapture Management, a By Area firm dedicated to business management for music professionals. Her leadership extended to co-founding The SONA Foundation, an international non-profit providing education, funding, and mental health resources to music creators. Under her guidance, The Songwriter Fund, an initiative of SONA, distributed over $500,000 to music creators affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, earning recognition in Billboard and Variety.As Ashkenaz’s Executive Director, Sarah combines her talents in talent acquisition, music education, and A&R relations to uplift artists and cultivate vibrant cultural experiences. Known for her motivational energy and ethical leadership, she is committed to fostering inclusivity and sustainability in the arts.Beyond her professional life, Sarah enjoys running, swimming, reading, DIY home projects, and performing music across the Bay Area. Her unwavering commitment to transforming music-centered goals into tangible realities ensures a lasting impact on the music community and future generations of artists.
