Sam Rich, percussion

Sam Rich is an orchestral percussionist and timpanist from Auckland, New Zealand. He is currently in his first year of the masters program at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music studying under San Francisco Symphony’s Principal Percussionist Jacob Nissly.

Before moving to the United States, Sam held the Section Principal Timpani position of Orchestra Wellington from 2016-2017 and performed frequently with New Zealand ensembles such as New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia, Stroma New Music Ensemble and Auckland Chamber Orchestra.

Sam was selected as a Percussion/Timpani Fellow for Music Academy of the West’s summer festival 2016 and was awarded fellowship positions with both the New Zealand Symphony and Melbourne Symphony Orchestras in 2015.