Staff & faculty

Samuel Linzan is a cellist who began his studies as a young boy in Ecuador. He developed his orchestral experiences in the Guayaquil Youth Symphony, with which he toured the country to major cities such as Quito. After arriving in the U.S., he began studying with Cornelia Watkins in the Shepherd School of Music’s preparatory program, which provided him with many performance and learning opportunities. In 2022, Sam completed his B.M. under the tutelage of Vagram Saradjian and Estelle Choi. In 2025, he also completed his Master’s in Cello Performance at the Moores School of Music with Dr. Eunghee Cho. Throughout his undergraduate and graduate degrees, Sam performed with many ensembles. He performed as the principal cello with the MSM Opera Orchestra, performed with the AURA Contemporary Ensemble, and was a member of the CelloFest Orchestra. Sam has also performed in various masterclasses with the likes of Christopher French, Anthony Kitai, Deborah Pae, and Brannon Cho. Most recently, Sam joined the Amarillo Symphony as a section cellist and performs several concerts throughout the year with the ensemble. Also, Sam currently leads the Fort Bend Cello Choir, helping young cellists grow and develop their musicality through his teachings.

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