Sarah Duke

It never ceases to amaze Sarah Duke how her life can be redirected—in the best ways. Growing up with a mom who was forever singing and playing the piano, a life in the musical arts seemed like a foregone conclusion. But it wasn’t until a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at the age of 23 that motivated her to move back home to Mansfield that she was able to live out that destiny. 

The ink had barely dried on Sarah’s Commercial Music diploma from Belmont University in Nashville when she found herself back in her hometown gratefully in remission of her cancer and contemplating her next steps. 

“In 2009, I accidentally started Destiny Studio in a spare bedroom in my mom’s home, just trying to figure out what to do with my life,” she said. In God’s providential way, Sarah says one “next right thing” led to another and more than 15 years later, she is founder and owner of two thriving music studios teaching voice, piano, guitar, drums, ukulele, and early childhood music. Of course, she and her team do so much more.

“We specialize in cultivating confidence in singers and musicians of all ages and levels of experience, developing the whole person – far beyond musical abilities,” Sarah said. They do this through meaningful and lasting relationships with their clients.

Over the last 15 years, Sarah amassed a dynamic faculty of 20 coaches and has worked with hundreds of singers with varying experience levels and genres – from pop to R&B to worship to Disney and musical theatre. “Confidence changes people and people change the world,” Sarah said. “I believe with all my heart that we’re training up world changers … one lesson at a time.” 

“Our retention for staff is very high. We have coaches who’ve been with us nearly 10 years and all hold degrees in music and/or work as professional musicians,” Sarah said. “You won’t find more passionate and qualified mentors anywhere.”

Looking back, Sarah knows she owes her own success to her family and mentors. “My Mansfield High choir teacher, Asa Low, encouraged and inspired me to pursue music professionally,” she said. “He told me, ‘Sarah, you can do anything you want to do’. And I believed him!” Her husband, Chad, is her biggest cheerleader today. He continues to believe in and support even her wildest dreams.

When not on the job, Sarah’s highest calling is as mom to Sadie, Sophia, and Tate—and bonus mom to Tucker. A close second is helping people recognize their God-given gifts and walk confidently in the direction of their dreams. She and her husband are also active members of Life Church Mansfield where she works with 4th-6th graders.