Dr Sara Ascenso

Biography

Dr Sara Ascenso is a clinical psychologist (University of Lisbon) with a BMus in piano performance (National Superior Orchestra Academy of the Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon). After working both as a psychologist in clinical settings and within educational projects and as a collaborative pianist and piano teacher, Sara completed an MSc and a PhD in Performance Science at the Centre for Performance Science (Royal College of Music/Imperial College London) focusing on mental health and wellbeing in the music sector.

Sara has been involved with other research projects looking into music for mental health (as a Research Associate at the Centre for Performance Science), the psychology of professional integration in music (with the Negaunee Music Institute – Chicago Symphony Orchestra) and the psychological impact of community music engagement (with London Music Masters). Sara received a Finzi Trust Award in 2015 with which she also developed research looking into music in prisons. As a Learning Support Advisor at Trinity Laban, Sara designs and implements both one-to-one and group tailored interventions aimed at optimizing musicians’ learning, primarily with students with specific learning needs. Besides her work at TL, Sara is a lecturer at the Royal Northern College of Music and a visiting lecturer at the University of Lisbon and the Royal College of Music. Sara is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.