Conductor

Sam is a professional conductor with extensive experience leading vocal and instrumental ensembles in musical theater, commercial, and studio settings. From 2024–2026, he worked with Royal Caribbean aboard Symphony of the Seas, where he served as Show Conductor and Musical Director for the Tony Award–winning Broadway musical Hairspray. During his tenure, the ship was awarded Best Entertainment at Sea, recognizing the excellence of its live productions and performance teams.

 

As conductor of Hairspray, Sam led a live 10-piece orchestra and coordinated closely with a cast of 24 performers, overseeing both musical integrity and day-to-day performance consistency. He conducted performances from the piano, ran orchestra and vocal rehearsals, led notes sessions, and maintained the musical and stylistic standards of a long-running professional production. In addition to performance duties, Sam trained multiple conductors and orchestra members to lead the show, ensuring continuity and coverage in the event of illness or scheduling conflicts.

 

Sam’s background as a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and pianist informs a highly practical and detail-oriented conducting style. He is adept at score analysis across a wide range of genres and ensemble types and brings strong communication skills to both rehearsal and performance environments. His experience includes studio conducting for original recordings, client projects, and personal productions, where he works closely with performers, engineers, and producers to achieve efficient, high-quality results.

 

Comfortable in both live and studio contexts, Sam is known for his clear conducting technique, collaborative leadership, and ability to unify performers across disciplines. His conducting work is grounded in musicianship, flexibility, and a deep understanding of the technical and artistic demands placed on modern performers.