Samantha Knutsen

Cello | Theory

Samantha has been performing and teaching cello for almost 15 years. She began studying cello in the Blue Mountains with Barbara Woolley and then went on to complete her Bachelor of Music Performance degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2013, after studying with Susan Blake.

In 2012 Samantha performed Schumann's Cello Concerto with the Blue Mountains Symphony Orchestra.

Whilst at the Conservatorium she had the opportunity to play for European cellists Peter Bruns, and later for Pieter Wispelwey.

In 2013 and 2014 Samantha was principal cellist in the Sydney Conservatorium Orchestra, and in 2014 she performed as soloist during the Peter Sculthorpe memorial concert broadcast on ABC Classic FM.

In 2015 she was studying her Masters degree at the Sydney Conservatorium with Umberto Clerici, when she was selected as reserve cellist for Sydney Sinfonia.

Later that year she played as Associate Principal with Opera Australia and Penrith Symphony Orchestra in 'Opera in Paramatta Park.'

After a short break Samantha returned to performing in 2019, in orchestras, and chamber ensembles around the Sydney region: most recently the Town Hall Sunset Festival on ANZAC Day 2021, and in November 2021 as Principal Cellist in November 2021 in a string orchestra and choir.