Meet Our Teachers

Biography

Sam Porter is a Southern California based musician that brings a dynamic presence and versatile music background to our school that ranges from classical and opera to rock, pop, and other contemporary genres. His musical journey began with piano lessons at the age of 7, but eventually expanded to guitar and voice lessons, which would expand him to perform in rock bands during his time at Sierra Madre Music and the Arcadia Chanteurs show choir.

He has a BM in Vocal Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music in California State University, Long Beach, where he had served as the Tenor section leader for the CSULB University Choir for 2 years, performed in the opera department, held the position of Secretary for the Mu Phi Epsilon fraternity, and sung in the jazz group called Cornerpocket. He is now currently pursuing his Single Subject Teaching Credential. He has studied under the private instruction of Dr. Steven Kronauer, Dr. Emily Thebaut and more. He transferred from Pasadena City College, where he was a part of the PCC Chamber Singers as well as opera and musical theater workshops.

A dedicated vocal musician, he has performed for a variety of ensembles, companies, and nonprofit organizations within the Los Angeles area, including Los Concioneros Master Chorale, Lyric Opera of Orange County, Voices for Social Justice, and serves as the Tenor section leader for the Los Altos United Methodist Church Sanctuary Choir. With a growing passion for opera, he recently played the role of Mercury in Orpheus in the Underworld with the Lyric Opera of Orange County, Basilio in Le nozze di Figaro with the CSULB Opera Institute in April 2026, and made his international debut with Opera Seme in Arezzo, Italy, where he studied the role of Don Pelagio in La Canterina. Another one of his recent performance occurred at Carnagie Hall, where his choir would premiere Matthew Lyon Hazzard’s “Finding Light.” He also advanced to the finals in the 2025 NATS-LA Scholarship Collegiate Auditions, where he would place third in his category.

A love of music is a core part of Sam's personality and with his growing passion for music performance and education, Sam is committed to share his love for music to the next generation with an approach that fosters growth in musicianship, artistry, and technique through a joyful and supportive learning environment.