Exploring Life & Business with Sarah Cavaiani of Hummingbird Harmonies

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Cavaiani

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey as a musician started in toddlerhood, when my sister and father began taking piano lessons. Our family albums are littered with photos of me, barely able to stand, enchanted by the instrument. I started with piano lessons at age 4 – quickly quit – then picked it up again a year later. During that year, I had gained enough patience to sit still and focus for more than a few seconds at a time.

My earliest childhood memories are of watching Disney movies with my sister. Our favorite was Fantasia, an imaginative work with few words but captivating stories. Each instrument of the symphony was featured in great works of classical music. We watched it over and over, and the music became the soundtrack to my formative years.

I participated in choir and band in elementary school, all while continuing piano lessons. When I was in middle school, the local music store in my hometown started stocking harps and offering group lessons. Over the course of those thousands of viewings of Fantasia, I had fallen in love with the harp. I pleaded with my parents to let me sign up for a class. I started with renting an instrument and attending group lessons. After about 4 months, I switched to private lessons.

I had been playing for two years when I was busking at the farmer’s market. A woman approached me and asked if I could play in her wedding. I was floored! I worked so hard on that event and my $75 payment was an inconceivable amount of money to a 15-year-old.

Fast forward 15 years, and I’ve played at hundreds of weddings and several more private events and services. I relocated from Wisconsin to Raleigh in 2020, and that’s when I really started focusing on building my business. I perform primarily at weddings, though I also play for dinner parties, corporate events, church services, and occasionally an orchestra. I’m proud to say that I performed The Nutcracker Suite for the first time in December 2024 with the Triangle Youth Ballet – a perfect callback to falling in love with Waltz of the Flowers featured in Fantasia.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have been very fortunate. Access to a harp and harp lessons are privileges that I do not take lightly. I’m thankful to my parents for supporting me and the music store for making a traditionally unattainable instrument accessible and affordable.

I have seen a lot of growth in myself as I continue to push my skills and advance as a musician. I improve every day and enjoy the challenge of expanding my repertoire and skillset.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Hummingbird Harmonies officially launched in 2021, though I had been performing for many years before that. I specialize in customized wedding soundtracks for couples planning joy-first celebrations. To break that down – alongside my clients, I meticulously plan each song, the flow, and the transitions to bring music to their event that celebrates their unique love story and delights their family and friends. Many of my clients are often musicians themselves, and appreciate the thought I put into each selection. If a couple is just looking for “Here Comes the Bride,” I’m probably not the right fit. I love incorporating songs from my clients’ favorite movies, their grandparents’ favorite record, or the guilty pleasure hits from their teenage years.

The harp itself is set apart from other instruments with its unique appeal. Unlike a violin or a trumpet, the harp is hard to come by and the sound is not easily replicated by another instrument. The sound is both resonant and fleeting and lends feelings of calm and magic to an atmosphere.

Hummingbird Harmonies is built on the values of inclusivity, integrity, and authenticity. I believe every love story deserves to be celebrated, and I am proud to work with couples who express their love in ways they wish. Honoring cultural diversity is also a priority—whether it’s a religious ceremony, a secular celebration, or one rich in cultural traditions, I strive to create music that reflects and cherishes my clients’ identities. Integrity is at the heart of everything I do, both as a musician and as a professional. My clients can trust me to deliver a high-quality, personalized experience that enhances their joy-first celebration, leaving lasting memories for them and their guests.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ncharpist.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ncharpist
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hummingbirdharmonies
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/hummingbirdharmonies

Image Credits
Rivkah Fine Art Photography
Whitney Gremaud Photography
Ariel Kaitlin Photography
Ellie McKinney Photography
In His Image Photography