Sam Sharp, a native of Chicago, is a violinist, teacher, composer, and arranger, with violin performance degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Indiana University. Based in his home town, he performs in a variety of contexts in the Chicago area, playing regularly with the Northbrook Symphony, the Rockford Symphony, and the Northwest Indiana Symphony. His playing has been featured on multiple albums including his own album Abbey Bowed, a rock string quartet project, which features arrangements of the entire Beatles album Abbey Road for string quartet. More information can be found in the "Current Projects" page. He maintains a large teaching studio and has composed more than a dozen works over the last decade.
Teaching
Sam teaches violin and viola (and occasionally piano, guitar, ukulele, cello, and accordion at the beginner level). He is on the faculty at New Music School and Lyriq/Merry Music Makers and teaches privately as well. Working effectively with students of all ages, he provides guidance, inspiration, support, and vision to his students while encouraging them to find and pursue their own personal musical journey as much as possible. More information about his teaching philosophy and methods can be found in the "Music Lessons" page. If you would like to set up a trial lesson, please contact him via email or through the contact page.
Composition and Arranging
Sam began doing arrangements of classical and rock music during college, and this work culminated in the album Abbey Bowed. His arranging work helped him develop his own personal musical voice, which has taken shape in his compositions since 2015. He has written for strings, piano, film, dance, and, most recently, a new climate change focused chamber music project based in Chicago called Composing the Climate. Find out more information in the "Compositions" page.
Personal growth and meditation
After developing severe tendonitis in his early 20s, Sam has undertaken various types of healing both out of necessity and passion. Meditation has been central to his process, receiving training during the course of a 500-hour yoga teacher trainer program at Solaluna Yoga in Oberlin. He is a fervent advocate for therapy, body and breath awareness, inner work, and physical wellness. This work has in many ways contributed to his current outlook on life and his creative and vocational pursuits. See the "Journeying" page for more of thoughts on these topics.
In his spare time, Sam loves biking, reading, gaming, working out, and spending time with his beautiful cat Boki.
Teaching
Sam teaches violin and viola (and occasionally piano, guitar, ukulele, cello, and accordion at the beginner level). He is on the faculty at New Music School and Lyriq/Merry Music Makers and teaches privately as well. Working effectively with students of all ages, he provides guidance, inspiration, support, and vision to his students while encouraging them to find and pursue their own personal musical journey as much as possible. More information about his teaching philosophy and methods can be found in the "Music Lessons" page. If you would like to set up a trial lesson, please contact him via email or through the contact page.
Composition and Arranging
Sam began doing arrangements of classical and rock music during college, and this work culminated in the album Abbey Bowed. His arranging work helped him develop his own personal musical voice, which has taken shape in his compositions since 2015. He has written for strings, piano, film, dance, and, most recently, a new climate change focused chamber music project based in Chicago called Composing the Climate. Find out more information in the "Compositions" page.
Personal growth and meditation
After developing severe tendonitis in his early 20s, Sam has undertaken various types of healing both out of necessity and passion. Meditation has been central to his process, receiving training during the course of a 500-hour yoga teacher trainer program at Solaluna Yoga in Oberlin. He is a fervent advocate for therapy, body and breath awareness, inner work, and physical wellness. This work has in many ways contributed to his current outlook on life and his creative and vocational pursuits. See the "Journeying" page for more of thoughts on these topics.
In his spare time, Sam loves biking, reading, gaming, working out, and spending time with his beautiful cat Boki.