Sam Kelder

Described as “dynamic and committed” by the Boston Globe, violist Dr. Samuel Kelder performs regularly with ensembles A Far Cry, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Guerilla Opera, Callithumpian Consort, Sound Icon, and is often a guest artist with many of the regional symphony orchestras in the New England area. An avidly sought after chamber musician and soloist, Sam has performed with members of JACK, Muir, Ulysses, Argus, and Aizuri quartets; and with faculty members of New England Conservatory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mannes the New School for Music, Boston University, Boston College, Longy at Bard, and Wellesley University.

Kelder joined the Boston based string trio Sound Energy in 2018, an ensemble dedicated to searching for ways to push the traditional violin-viola-cello combination to represent the bold and daring voices of 20th- & 21st-century composers. Their work includes many commissions for string trio, and a residency at Temple University in 2018/2019. Additionally, Sam is co-founder of viola duo Shizuka with Hannah Rose Nicholas, whose mission is to expand the repertoire for the alto pairing while pursuing opportunities to work with young composers and performers. They have given masterclasses and performances at Tufts University and Boston University, were awarded an artist residency at Mise En Place in New York City, presented at the American Viola Society, and have commissioned over a dozen new works.

Sam has also performed as the featured artist at Third Practice Electroacoustic Festival (VA) and as soloist at New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival. He has toured across Europe and Central America with the Lucerne Festival Alumni Ensemble, Penderecki Academy, Callithumpian Consort, and was guest artist with the Arctic Philharmonic of Norway.

Sam is a passionate educator, and has taught at Boston University Tanglewood Institute as viola coach and mentor, and at the Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice. He teaches a large studio of viola and violin students of all ages, and loves to cook in his free time.