About Me
Hi! My name is Sam! I’m an NYC-based performer, born and raised in Tempe, Arizona. I began performing at 5 years old when my parents heard me playing "Rock Lobster" by The B-52’s on the piano we had in the house. In 4th grade, they caught me harmonizing to the High School Musical CD I kept on loop in my bedroom and helped me join my first choir at school. At the end of that year, my mom got a call from the drama teacher at the local middle school, asking me to be Randolph in their summer production of Bye Bye Birdie, my first big-kid musical! Throughout middle and high school, I was constantly in musicals, was choir president, first chair of the Arizona all-state choir, the whole nine yards! Back then, I thought I wanted to go to an Ivy and become a doctor, and was even valedictorian of my high school to make that happen. But, I realized that’s not what I was put here to do: performing is what makes me feel alive! So, I moved to NYC to study Vocal Performance: Musical Theatre at NYU Steinhardt!
Part of what makes me unique is the timbre of my voice, which marries both styles of singing in traditional and contemporary musical theatre. For example, I could play Cornelius (Hello, Dolly!) on one day and Mark (Rent) the next, without compromising the style of either show! I’m coached in pop/rock, jazz, and classical vocalisms as well. I'm also trained in many styles of dance, including musical theatre, jazz, tap, and ballet. I can take center stage or be a fierce ensemble member — I pride myself on being extremely versatile and able to pick up new things very quickly.
When I’m not on a stage, you can usually find me in a pair of running shoes training for a marathon. Otherwise, I’ll be riding my bike or going for a solo, meditative hike in the woods. I also spend plenty of time in my yellow armchair reading queer romance and fantasy books, or playing games on my Nintendo consoles. I start every morning by journalling with my many highlighters and pens, and finish every night cooking some elaborate meal. And when escaping show tunes, I’m either listening to EDM or folk music (there is no in-between!).