Musical Director

Sam is a musical director specializing in large-scale musical theater productions and live commercial entertainment. From 2024–2026, he worked with Royal Caribbean aboard Symphony of the Seas, serving as Musical Director for the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical Hairspray. During his tenure, the ship was awarded Best Entertainment at Sea, recognizing the quality and consistency of its live productions.

 

As Musical Director of Hairspray, Sam was responsible for the musical integrity of the production, overseeing both vocals and orchestra for a cast of 24 performers and a live 10-piece orchestra. He led vocal warmups, ran vocal and orchestra rehearsals, and conducted regular notes sessions to maintain performance standards across an intensive production schedule. Sam also worked closely with sound and technical teams to ensure optimal balance, clarity, and consistency in each performance, including assisting with reblocking and soundboard programming adjustments.

 

In addition to Hairspray, Sam served as Musical Director and Vocal Supervisor for Flight: Dare to Dream, an original Royal Caribbean production. In this role, he maintained vocal health and consistency across the cast while leading daily warmups and musical maintenance rehearsals. His responsibilities extended beyond performance, encompassing cast onboarding, vocal coaching for new performers, and long-term maintenance of vocal and musical integrity.

 

Sam’s work as a musical director also includes producing and leading professional cabaret performances aboard Symphony of the Seas, for which he arranged vocal and orchestral charts and collaborated closely with singers and instrumentalists. His background as a pianist, conductor, arranger, and producer allows him to approach musical direction holistically, balancing artistic vision with technical precision and practical leadership. Known for his collaborative style and attention to detail, Sam brings clarity, consistency, and musical excellence to every production he leads.