Originally from Liverpool, Samuel is currently into his third year reading music at St Anne's College, formerly studying violin with St Anne's alumna Dr Alberto Sanna. He was the concertmaster of the Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (LPYO) throughout the 2022-23 season, working alongside professional conductors such as Robin Wallington and Andrew Manze, and was formerly involved with the Liverpool-based charity Early Music as Education (EMAE) since its inception in 2017, working both as an orchestral member in its flagship ensemble as well as a tutor in its Beginner and Intermediate programmes. Now, he is enjoying being a permanent member of the Early Music Youth Orchestra directed by Alberto, with whom he has been lucky to travel across Europe, especially Italy, to perform in concerts and television productions.

In Oxford, he has enjoyed a plethora of musical opportunities, and has given much to the university’s music society: in 2024-25 he was the concertmaster of the Oxford University Philharmonia, where he led a student orchestra conducted by students, as well as holding a committee position as string fixer. A keen orchestral leader, he also makes regular appearances as the principal second violinist of Jude Holloway's Oxford Concert Orchestra, as well as being the concertmaster for the St Anne’s Camerata during the 2024-25 season, working primarily with director Dr John Traill (one of his degree supervisors) and the Adler String Quartet (the Hans Keller Quartet in Residence at the University of Oxford) as well as helping with some Oxford Conducting Institute workshops. 

When not playing violin, he is also a pianist, still studying with Tom Kimmance (who he has worked with for 14 years) working towards his ARSM diploma, and a self-guided organist that enjoys accompanying services at his local parish when home (invariably getting the notes right). Believe it or not, he even finds some time for hobbies in ‘normal life’: he is the proud "parent" of four beautiful border collies, who essentially control his and his mother’s life, but they probably wouldn’t want it any other way. Plus, he also has the misfortune of supporting Everton FC (that’s his father’s “guidance" for you), but so long as Liverpool keep losing at the alarming rate they are one imagines he'll be very happy (#COYB).