Sarah Valley is one of those people that lights up a room when she walks in it. Her smile is contagious and her energy is palpable. Her bubbly personality makes anyone feel instantly at ease and her life experience allows her to relate to many people from all walks of life. The joy that comes from knowing Christ radiates through her life. “This joy is more than just a happy feeling. It goes beyond circumstances and I want to share that joy with others through song,” says Sarah. “The more I learn about myself, or I should say the more I learn about Christ’s character the more I agree with Paul in Romans that apart from Christ there is nothing good that lies in me.” Sarah became a Christian at a young age but over the past few years she has gained a deeper understanding of her dependency upon Christ as she struggled with her calling into music ministry after graduating from college at Belmont University. In her opening song on her first full length album “Less of Me” Sarah sings, “I am close hearted, I am selfish, I often have a heart of stone in my chest. That’s why I need you.” Even as a young child, Sarah has always felt God calling her to use her voice for him but only recently has she known what direction to go. “I know that God has had to work on me so I could be used for his purposes because I was very “self” driven and that allowed no room for Christ,” says Sarah “I know that submitting to God’s will is a battle that I will face everyday of my life, but I pray that he will win a lot more than me!” Sarah recently adopted Colossians 2:2,3 as her mission statement for her music. ‘My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’ Using her gift of encouragement, Sarah’s music reaches out to people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. “Jesus met people where they were, and I hope my music will do the same thing.” A native of Nashville, Sarah is thankful to have grown up in the music city. At a young age it afforded her many opportunities to mold her talent. She can remember always having the burning desire to sing and perform. Just ask anyone who saw her as a young girl rocking on her rocking horse and belting out the lyrics to Amy Grant’s “Sing Your Praise to the Lord” or “How Majestic Is Your Name” or singing “Tomorrow” from Annie at the top of her lungs. At the age of six she began singing on various Christian kids albums, something she continues to do today only now she has moved on to directing and contracting many of them. Sarah has sung on projects for artists such as CeCe Winans, Sandi Patty, and Erin O’Donnell and worked for numerous companies including Lifeway, Brentwood/Benson, Sparrow Music, Integrity Music and United Methodist Publishing House. Recently in 2004 she also got to try her hand at character voices when she teamed up with Disney and Music Theatre International to do the voices of Cruella DeVil from “101 Dalmations,” Gus and Drizella from “Cinderella,” and Bagheera from “Jungle Book.” She also landed her first professional stage job at age ten with Gaylord Entertainment working at Opryland Theme Park. “It had always been a dream of mine to perform at Opryland. I remember going there with my family and during one of the shows I remember turning to my mother and saying, ‘I’m going to perform on that stage someday,’ I couldn’t believe it when that dream became a reality,” recalls Sarah. This ignited Sarah’s love of performing. Since working for Gaylord Entertainment Sarah has done numerous productions for companies such as the Tennessee Repertory Theater, Circle Players, PBS and performed at Super Bowl Players’ Parties. She has also been featured on numerous television shows such as Nashville Now, Talk of the Town, TNN, Crook and Chase, Entertainment Tonight and Mornings on Fox17. Currently Sarah is also the director of the 4H Performing Arts Troupe for the state of Tennessee which allows her to teach other kids many of the things she has learned over the years. She is also involved in a children’s ministry at her home church FBCHendersonville called Worthy of Worship which teaches kids Bible lessons through drama and music. “He must become greater; I must become less.” A simple sounding statement but one of the most complex things to live out as a Christian. Sarah invites the listener on a journey through her album “Less of Me” as we glimpse into her life. “In my weakness I know that He is made strong, and I pray that I will always be transparent so that I can point others into the loving arms the Savior. Less of me and more of Him!” To read the rest of Sarah's bio visit http://www.sarahvalley.com/bio.php
