Sarah Tenney serves as Chair of the Percussion Department at Rivers. Sarah founded Marimba Magic, a program she has taught at the Rivers School Conservatory since 1986, introducing children as young as 5 years old to keyboard skills, singing, drumming, improvising, and playing together in an ensemble, giving them a solid foundation for future music lessons on any instrument. Some students choose to continue in the Marimba Magic program, enjoying playing on a marimba team.

Sarah’s students are regularly accepted to perform in the District and All State festivals. Sarah has led Marimba Magic in concerts at many National and International conferences, including two Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, MENC Eastern District in both Baltimore and Springfield, several MMEA All State Conferences, the AOSA National Conference, The MTNA National Conference, The European Piano Conference, and The Brussels Marimba Week. Sarah is a certified improvisation teacher for the organization Music for People. Sarah received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.