Sarah alainn grew up in Sydney, Australia to a father, a diplomat, and a musician for a mother. At the age of five she began playing violin, and by the time she was six her talent was discovered by Australian violinist Perry Hart, the star pupil of Szymon Goldberg, the legendary violinist who at the young age of 20 became the concertmaster for the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. After winning a number of national contests, Sarah enrolled at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music where she studied under Polish violinist, Wanda Wilkomirska.

From childhood she also demonstrated a talent for singing, her vocal range spanning over 3 octaves. At 14 she auditioned for an operetta at the conservatory, where she was cast as the leading role of Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. From that moment she began formal singing lessons under Australian soprano, Paula Clarkestone.

In 2006, Sarah enrolled at the University of Sydney under BA Arts Languages degree, where she studied linguistics and music (performance, composition and music theory). In the same year, she was inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society, offered only to students demonstrating excellence within the top 10% in the world. In 2007, she was awarded the Sarah Theresa Makinson composition prize from the music department, as well as the Walter Reid Memorial Award for academic achievement. For two consecutive years, she was awarded the academic merit prize for the highest performing undergraduate, and in 2010 Sarah graduated with a High Distinction average.

While eagerly pursuing her studies, Sarah was active as a violinist playing at the Sydney Parliament House, as well as the Sydney and Brisbane town halls alongside world-famous opera singers such as Yvonne Kenny (Soprano) and José Carbó (Baritone). Her performance as a guest musician in the documentary feature film on Charles Billich was aired on SBS.