Sam is a cisgendered, able-bodied, white male settler music therapist who has been working in long-term care, mental health and addictions, and stroke recovery since graduating from the Capilano Music Therapy Program in 2017. He is currently serving as the Secretary on the MTABC Board. Though Sam’s music therapy practice has looked very different depending on the population, his approach remains client-centred, trauma-informed, and social-justice-based. Sam is drawn to using improvisation, songwriting, rap writing, singing, and music-listening in his practice. He also makes sample-driven hip-hop beats which he used in a rap music therapy program while working in addictions.

Ever since he began playing guitar at age 13, music has been immensely important in Sam’s life. Through helping him find an identity in his early years in high school and leading him to a life of teaching guitar and playing music for a living, Sam learned about the power of music in fostering social connection. It is what brought him to music therapy and it is the basis for his work – regardless of goals, objectives and interventions. Sam continues to bring his learning into his group and 1:1 sessions in long-term care at Three Links Care Centre.

Beyond music, Sam loves cycling around Vancouver and spending time with his wife and cats. He has a growing interest in Won Buddhist meditation, spirituality, feminism, decolonization and history.