Shari Lowe Sarazin embarked on her musical journey at the tender
age of five. She was molded and greatly influenced by her mother, Margie
Barrett Lowe, and her grandmother, Erma Howland Barrett, a published
poet, songwriter, and seasoned musician. Many a sunny, summer afternoon were spent in the music parlor of her grandparent’s farm home where
Shari’s love of music was born.
Another great influence in Shari’s musical life was her church. Sacred
music soon became an important part of her repertoire. In addition to her
church, Shari’s school and community offered her many opportunities for
musical expression and growth. Vocal music performance and education
were the focus of Shari’s studies at University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.
During the mid 1980’s, she taught high school choral music at St. Agnes
Academy in Alliance, Nebraska.
Shari returned to Wisconsin with her husband, daughter, and son in the
late 1980’s. This return brought with it many performance opportunities in
her local community of Mauston and across the state as well. At this time,
she also gained studio and recording experience in Minneapolis, Minnesota
and Madison, Wisconsin.
In October 1993, Shari set her grandmother’s heartfelt words to music
in a song she entitled, "Oh Wisconsin, Land Of My Dreams." On August 30,
2001, "Oh Wisconsin, Land Of My Dreams" became Wisconsin’s official
state ballad. Shari proudly performs this magical song all across the state
and shares with the many citizens of Wisconsin her grandmother’s beautiful
images of a place she called home. Shari thanks God everyday for the gift
music and for the many precious people who have been the ’Wind Beneath
Her Wings!’
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