Biography
Originally from the New Forest, Samuel is now based in the South West, where he divides his time between performance and education. He runs a thriving private teaching practice, and is in high demand as a cellist, accompanist, conductor and educator.
Samuel spent his undergraduate years in the vibrant, arts-filled city of Cardiff where he received his Bachelor of Music honours degree. He achieved first class results in performance and analysis modules and received bursary awards for solo and ensemble performances. Since completing his university studies, Samuel has been awarded a Licentiate Diploma in cello performance from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and has built up a strong, varied portfolio career.
As a cellist, Samuel is equally at home performing as a soloist, and part of an ensemble. He regularly appears as a member of Bristol String Quartet for weddings and functions and has many contacts to provide accompaniment for his solo bookings on an array of instruments such as piano, harp and guitar upon request.
Some of the reasons Samuel enjoys his freelance performing career include discovering picturesque venues around the country, meeting new like-minded musicians and pleasing clients and their guests with their favourite melodies at a huge variety of events.
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Samuel has an enthusiastic approach to music education. He aims to encourage progression by taking students' interests into account in addition to his own suggestions. providing exposure to a variety of styles and genres.
As an ABRSM theory examiner, Samuel believes this aspect of musical understanding is hugely beneficial to instrumental performance. Equally as a conductor, he actively encourages ensemble participation at all levels, which helps players to develop confidence.
Samuel has helped students to secure places on university and conservatoire courses. Several of his younger students have been awarded entrance music scholarships to study at private schools around Bath, and a handful have gained entry to National Youth ensembles following successful auditions. One of the most rewarding aspects of teaching music for Samuel is helping students to achieve excellent results for graded instrumental exams ranging from pre-grade 1 to diploma level. In addition to this, Samuel will offer his services as a piano accompanist on the day of the performance, as he himself is a competent pianist.
See 'Testimonials' page to see what students and clients have to say.
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As a versatile musician himself, Samuel's experience covers a huge range musical styles, from baroque to present day, orchestral to pop, and folk to jazz. However, he has a particular fondness of musical theatre. You can often find him playing cello, bass guitar, keys or reeds in a pit band!
Arranging music for personal requests is another of Samuel's skills. He arranged Corelli’s ‘Christmas Concerto’ and Lauridsen’s setting of ‘O Magnum Mysterium’ for his own wedding ceremony cello quintet, as well as 90 minutes of popular tunes for his evening 13-piece jazz band.
Outside of his musical life, Samuel is an avid runner, enjoys travelling to new places, cooking (especially finding new delicious vegetarian recipes), completing sudoku puzzles and visiting family and friends in Northern Ireland and The New Forest.