Sam Kelder

Praised by the Boston Globe as "committed and dynamic", violist Dr. Samuel Kelder's career has brought him to perform across North America and Europe. Dr. Kelder is a champion of today's music, working frequently with living composers in a variety of genres, and commissioning new works for the viola. Highlights of this season include “lodged within you” by Matthew Schultheis, and a concerto for viola and chamber ensemble by Steven Long. 

He is a member of ensembles Sound Icon, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Callithumpian Consort, East Coast Contemporary Ensemble, founding member of Shizuka Viola Duo and Sandbar Chamber Series, and can be found frequently performing on chamber series across New England. An equally accomplished orchestral musician, Sam is principal violist of the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, section violist of Portland Symphony, New Bedford Symphony, and the Boston Festival Orchestra. He joined the viola faculty at Boston University in 2024.

In 2024 Sam launched Queer Ensemble Project with co-founder Mina Kim. Their mission is to uplift and celebrate queer artistry; amplifying the voices of queer artists, and spaces with the ambition of building a stronger community around music.