Raised in Duluth, Minnesota, Sam began classical piano lessons at age 5 with Denise Lindquist through the Suzuki Method. He later branched off into jazz when he studied with Ryan Frane, Director of Jazz Studies at University of Minnesota Duluth.

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This transition to improvised music allowed Sam to participate in several community and regional performing opportunities, such as the Duluth East High School Jazz Band (2019 winner of the Class AA Eau Claire Jazz Festival Large Ensemble Contest), the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Jazz Band 2017-18, Interlochen Center for the Arts' Jazz and Improvisation Camp, Shell Lake Arts Center's Jazz Camp, Owl's Club Big Band, and the Big Time Jazz Orchestra, an ensemble committed to providing the highest-quality jazz performances and educational opportunities to Northeastern Minnesota. 

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Sam continues his education at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Composition. He has studied with Yoko Miwa, Neil Olmstead, Kevin Harris, Kenny Werner (author of the acclaimed book/method Effortless Mastery), Ayn Inserto, Daniel Ian Smith, and Grammy-winning pianist and composer Billy Childs. 

 

During his time out east, he has performed with Berklee's Billy Childs Ensemble and subbed for both Berklee's Jazz Composition Faculty Ensemble and the Ayn Inserto Jazz Orchestra. He also received a Jazz Composition Department Award in the spring of 2022 for his composition Upside Down for nonet. 

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Sam's most recent activities include participating in the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, a highly-selective jazz program that brings together 15 fellows each year to rehearse, workshop, and perform new pieces for small jazz ensemble. This invitation-only program was directed by Steve Wilson, Billy Childs, and Rufus Reid in 2022. Additionally, Sam performed with the Grammy-Nominated Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra, led by Bijon Watson and Steven Feifke, during their album release concert at the Berklee Performance Center in October of 2022.

 

Sam also taught at Interlochen Center for the Arts' 2022 Jazz Piano Intensive, his first experience classroom teaching and giving private lessons. Sam's other educational commitments include tutoring for Berklee's nationally-recognized Core Music Tutoring Department and performing as a Voice Department Accompanist, assisting faculty with classroom activities.

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