Pianist

Sam is a versatile pianist and collaborative artist with extensive professional experience across musical theater, popular, jazz, and classical styles. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Anderson University (IN), where he received classical training and performed major solo repertoire including Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 and Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu, Op. 66. As the winner of Anderson University’s Evening of Excellence Concerto Competition, Sam performed the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 with orchestra.

 

From 2024–2026, Sam worked professionally with Royal Caribbean aboard Symphony of the Seas, serving as orchestra pianist and later as show conductor and musical director for the Tony Award–winning musical Hairspray. In this role, he performed piano and keyboards across a wide range of styles—including musical theater, jazz, funk, Latin, pop, and holiday music—while collaborating closely with vocalists and production teams. He also presented multiple weekly solo piano sets featuring musical theater, Disney, and popular repertoire, which were consistently highlighted by guests as a standout element of the onboard entertainment experience.

 

A highly sought-after accompanist, Sam has collaborated with singers at the collegiate and professional levels, accompanying private voice lessons, studio classes, choral ensembles, rehearsals, auditions, and performances. His work spans classical, musical theater, and contemporary genres, with a particular passion for supporting vocalists in theatrical and performance-driven settings. He has served as vocal coach and supervisor for large casts, maintaining vocal integrity while supporting healthy, sustainable performance practices.

 

In addition to his theatrical and cruise ship work, Sam is an active church musician, contributing as a pianist to worship services throughout the Midwest. He has performed for notable artists including Sandi Patty, Bill and Gloria Gaither, and John McLaughlin. Whether as a soloist, accompanist, or ensemble player, Sam brings musical sensitivity, stylistic fluency, and a collaborative spirit to every performance.