A native of San Antonio, Texas, Samuel Almaguer is the principal clarinetist of the North Carolina Symphony. Previous to his time in North Carolina, Sam has also performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, Sam has been featured with Incontri Musicali in Spoleto, Italy and the Cactus Pear Music Festival in San Antonio. Sam’s performances have been broadcast on WGBH Boston, WUNC in the Research Triangle, and on local television in Los Angeles. At a young age he was featured on National Public Radio’s “From the Top” with pianist Christopher O’Riley. Sam is also an avid pursuer of contemporary music, having been featured as a guest artist with the Festival of Contemporary Music at Tanglewood, Wild Up in Los Angeles, and various projects with the North Carolina Symphony.While in school, Sam was a fellow at both the Tanglewood Music Center and Music Academy of the West. He received his undergraduate degree at The Colburn School in Los Angeles, CA and attended Rice University for graduate studies. His primary teachers include Yehuda Gilad, Richie Hawley, and Ilya Shterenberg. Sam is a Vandoren Emerging Artist.