Hometown:
Boulder, Colorado
Education:
Carleton College, Northfield, MN (2019-2020)
University of Colorado Boulder (2020-present)
Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, expected 2024
Breckenridge Creative Arts Chair
Bio:
Growing up, Sam’s active musical life included violin lessons, musical theater and playing in local orchestras and summer camps. A dedicated clarinetist in high school marching band, he became drum major senior year, and was twice selected for the Colorado All-State Symphonic Band. He attended Interlochen Arts Camp in 2019, where he was a principal violinist in World Youth Symphony Orchestra. While not music-making, he enjoys hiking, skiing and reading.
What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I did Speech & Debate in high school. One might think being a debater makes you seek out every argument in support of your positions, making you a rigid, inflexible thinker. On the contrary, debaters must prepare a case for both sides of an issue, so you have to be highly adaptable. Through debate, I learned to love nuance and shades of grey, to empathize with stances I might not agree with.
Name three of your favorite composers:
Ludwig van Beethoven, Frederic Chopin, Aram Khachaturian
When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I greatly enjoy hiking, and I have summited 34 of Colorado’s 14ers. (I’ll get them all soon!)
What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I am looking forward to meeting so many incredible musicians and getting to know the backgrounds, interests and motivations that led them to where they are now.