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IAustralian pianist, composer, and music educator Sam holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from The Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, as well as an Associate Diploma of Music (AMusA) from the Australian Examination Board. He has studied piano under Caroline Almonte, Stephen McIntyre, and Janis Cook, and pursued composition studies in Italy under the guidance of Professor Emilio Capalbo and Dr. Andrew Rindfleisch. Additionally, he has had the privilege of participating in masterclasses with renowned pianists including Geoffrey Saba, Dr. Richard Shuster, Ursula Oppens, Professor Ian Holtham, Igor Machlak, Stephen McIntyre, Glen Riddle, among others.

As a performer, Sam served as the resident pianist for the South Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for 5 years, and has extensive experience as a soloist, chamber musician, and accompanist. Sam’s talents as a composer have also been recognised through commissions from organisations such as The City of Melbourne, for which he composed 'Scenes of Nature' (2021), The Royal Society of Victoria, for 'It's Getting Dark Now' (2018), and The Carlton Connect Initiative, for 'A Wayward Zephyr' (2017). His composition, Aromatic Fantasy for String Quartet (2019), was premiered by the Invictus Quartet and described as “melodic and stunningly evocative” by FeverPitch magazine. Notably, in July 2023, Sam performed 'Scenes of Nature' at the InterHarmony International Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Piedmont, Italy, as well as at the Conservatorio di Cagliari, Sardegna, alongside Ensemble Scisma.

With over 12 years of teaching experience, Sam is a passionate, enthusiastic, and professional music educator. He has taught privately in Australia and Europe, and held teaching positions in the piano departments of St. Margaret’s Berwick Grammar School, Thomas Carr College, Kensington Primary School, and Melbourne Piano School in Australia. Sam's students range from beginners to those at the conservatory level, and many have achieved success in competitions and examinations. He specialises in teaching piano technique, drawing from the lineage of Heinrich Neuhaus, as well as performance preparation, music theory, aural skills, memorisation, and general musical exploration. Sam fosters a culture of curiosity among his students, firmly believing in the mutual growth and learning that can be achieved by both instructor and student working together.

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