Sam Adam

Production

Music lovers should beware asking Samuel Adam (he/him) too many questions about the tuba, because once they get him going it may be hard for him to stop. Sam found himself picking up the tuba for the first time at the age of 15; not coincidentally, right after realizing he, as a high tenor, would never be able to sing bass in his high school choir. A single-minded obsession was quickly ignited, and he found himself leaving his hometown of Juneau, Alaska to attend Interlochen arts camp and then the prestigious Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland before finally settling back on the West Coast. 

Sam is currently the second tubist to ever attend UCLA as a DMA performance candidate, and while he enjoys an active freelance orchestral and recording career, he is happiest both researching and performing in a chamber setting. In the past, Sam was a founding quintet member of Aeris Brass, and currently sits on the roster of both Good Time Brass Quintet and Brass Elephant. Sam’s goal, as performer, educator, and composer is to advocate for the tuba in all ensembles as an vital mainstay in the orchestral sonic palette.