“Life is like a trampoline, you’ll always bounce back, bounce higher or find firm ground to land upon, and in the midst of the heaviness, remember there is always happiness and humor to be found in jumping.”
Peace & love, xoxo s.o’b
Musician…
Sara O’Brien’s sound is like Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin, Natalie Merchant and Lucinda Williams with a splash of Susan Tedeschi. Her music touches the heartstrings of kids as young as 2 and as old as 80, telling stories about the humor and tragedies of life, our Rites of passage, and Sara’s many experiences from the New Jersey shore to the mountains of Ecuador, South America.
Sara O’Brien grew up in New Jersey. At age eighteen she moved away to attend college at the Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. There she became the lead singer and lyricist of IRIS an original alternative rock band. Sara released two albums with IRIS, Looking at the Other Three and 807 Wesley Road. Years later, her love of music and warmer winters lured her south to Athens, GA where she immediately became immersed in the local music and arts scene. There, she fronted her own original folk-rock band, the Sara O’Brien Band aka S.O.B. While in Athens she released her third album titled, Play it By Ear. In October of 2003, Sara moved back to her hometown and established S.O.B New Jersey. In the summer of 2005 she released Trampoline, the album name inspired by a house fire in which she jumped from the burning building on to a trampoline below. Trampoline has been played on over 200 college radio stations across the country. The Trampoline story and the album itself has inspired articles in the NY Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, New Jersey Monthly Magazine, Guideposts Magazine and the Courier Post Newspaper. Live in concert, you will see Sara performing solo acoustic or with her band: Steve Goldstein on guitar, Gabriel Cifiuni on bass and Greg Morgan on drums. You will also find her directing and performing with an original kids’ folk-rock band, Sara O’Brien and the HoneyBabes -“music written by kids, for kids! Sara & the HoneyBabes released their self-titled album in the summer of 2007. They currently play throughout South Jersey & Philadelphia while writing, rehearsing, and performing out of Studio LuLoo.
Teacher…
Sara has devoted her life to creating opportunities through music to educate on social, health, and community issues. She, with the help of her friends, organized her first music benefit concert in the summer of 1994, People for People- “raising funds for needy kids”. Her efforts continued throughout her college career, hosting People for People in Columbus, OH then going on to teach the creative and performing arts at the Boys & Girls Club and various community and arts centers in Columbus and Cleveland Ohio and Athens, Georgia. From age 20 to present, Sara has pursued her passion to “teach through the arts”. She dedicated two years to City Year, an urban peace corp. in Columbus and Cleveland, OH (www.cityyear.org). Sara went on to graduate from the University of Georgia with a B.A. degree in Cross-Cultural Education through the Arts. Since, she has applied this method in teaching workshops in schools and community centers in Georgia and throughout the north east. In November of 2006 Ms. O’Brien opened Studio LuLoo, a creative, performing and healing arts center founded in her hometown of Haddon Township, NJ. Since its inception, Studio LuLoo has evolved into an arts cooperative, truly bringing together the creative gifts of the community. Currently there are two Studio LuLoo locations, Studio LuLoo LIVE Arts Co-op in Oaklyn, NJ, hosting live shows and events AND Studio LuLoo KIDS in Haddonfield, NJ, focused on kids classes and events. Studio LuLoo has become the umbrella that brings together all that Sara believes…EXPRESS*CREATE*PERFORM*LIVE*LAUGH*LOVE @ Studio LuLoo. www.studioluloo.org, www.myspace.com/studiolulooartscenter
Entertainer…
So, who is LuLoo? LuLoo originated at BreastFest in Athens, GA. She was the “BreastFest Fairy”. Wearing pink hair and butterfly-wings, LuLoo would spread hope, health and happiness at all BreastFest (breast cancer) awareness and fundraising events. This “happy, healthy fairy” went on to become an entertainer for children and audiences at events and birthday parties. Over the years, LuLoo’s mission and purpose evolved and came to inspire what is now “Studio LuLoo”. Today, LuLoo is a “Musical Magical Wacky Wild Fairy that helps make dreams come true.” “All you need is your imagination and creativity and to never ever give up! (on those dreams)” Still spreading hope, health and happiness, LuLoo has become a symbol of self-expression, inspiring children young and old to find and express their true selves.
Community Activist…
Sara dedicates herself to building, improving and celebrating community. Of the many events and project in which she has become involved, Sara O’Brien is most known for BreastFest and The Tyanna Foundation. BreastFest/The Tyanna Foundation is a non-profit fundraising and health awareness initiative that began in honor of her mother, Tyanna O’Brien who died of breast cancer in 1990. The first ever BreastFest event was held in Athens, GA, organized by Sara and a small group of musicians, artists and friends. It is now embraced by all the O’Brien sisters and has been held in Athens, GA, Clemson, SC, Baltimore, MD, New York, NY and Haddon Township, NJ. Ten percent of the proceeds from Trampoline cd sales benefit BreastFest/The Tyanna Foundation’s patient care projects. Both live-in-concert and on cd, Sara O’Brien & the HoneyBabes send the BreastFest/Tyanna Foundation message: “inspiring kids to live happy and healthy!” www.breastfest.org
Yoga, Pilates & Fitness Instructor…
As a certified yoga, Pilates and fitness instructor, Sara maintains her health and wellness through the teaching and practice of yoga, Pilates & cardio exercise. She currently teaches at the Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club, the Philadelphia Sports Club and Pure Flow Yoga Studio in Haddon Township, NJ (www.pureflow.com). Ms. O’Brien also conducts private and small group sessions in homes and businesses. With a background in aerobics, kickbox, Pilates & spinning, Sara has developed a core & strength centered yoga practice to suite all levels, from the beginner to the hard core athlete. Sara’s yoga style is known as Core Flow Yoga, described as:
Sara O’Brien’s unique style of yoga uniting mind and body through stretch, balance, breath, core and upper body strengthening, movement and flow. This class encourages you to have a sense of humor as you let go of stress and anxiety while increasing strength and flexibility. Each class ends with a 10/15-minute Sivasana (relaxation/meditation with gentle massage). To participate in Sara’s classes, see Master Calendar or contact Sara to schedule a private or group session, 856.296.2274.
Mother…
On Wednesday, May 7th 2008, Sara O’Brien gave birth to Sadie-Jane Margaret O’Brien, born on the 90th birthday of Sara’s grandmother, Margaret “Maggie” Buxton. Sadie-Jane was named after Sara’s grandmother Sadie (on her father’s side), Sara’s Great-Aunt Jane (on her mother’s side), her Aunt Margie (on her father’s side) & her90 year old grandmother, Granny Maggie aka “Mama Buxton” (Sara’s grandmother), who passed on Friday, June 27th, 2008. She’s protected by many angels.