Samantha's Experience

Samantha Uzbay is a professional classical and jazz violist, violinist, and singer based in New York City and Long Island. ​ Samantha began studying violin at the age of 3 and at the age of 14, was accepted to Manhattan School of Music Precollege (MSM) division as a violin major. By 16, she developed her love for playing the viola and focused on that for the remainder of her time at MSM. She subsequently earned a scholarship for viola performance at Boston University in the College of Fine Arts, where she earned a Bachelor of Music (B.M.) in String Performance. During her college career, she also studied at The Tanglewood Institute and the Royal College of Music in London, England. Throughout her musical career, Samantha won several competitions, served as a principal violinist and violist, and performed at concert halls including Lincoln Center, Symphony Hall, and several international concert halls and opera houses. Since the age of 15 she has been a working musician, performing at various concerts, weddings, corporate events and making studio recordings for composers and student-film productions. At age 17, Samantha was the youngest musician hired by Hank Lane Music & Productions as a violist and violinist, where she performs at prominent events in all styles of music, including Classical, Swing, Big Band, Ballroom, Jazz, Motown, Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Disco, Contemporary, Top 40, and Hip Hop, as well as doing improvisation. While at Boston University, Samantha studied with the well-known Professor Michele LaCourse and performed as a soloist, a chamber musician and in countless orchestral ensembles. She was selected to be the Musical Director of the “Boston University On Broadway” production of Green Day’s American Idiot and was responsible for directing and teaching all musical components of the production and conducted and performed in the pit orchestra. She also served as a viola and violin teacher for the members of the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. During the summer of 2017, she performed and served as project manager for the Concrete Series, a music performance series at Bowling Greene subway station, designed to enhance the New York commuters’ rush-hour experience. She sourced numerous classical/contemporary musicians and bands from New York City, and chose repertoire to be performed. She managed and performed various music styles in evening rehearsals and ultimately performed at the station during the mornings and evenings for one full week. In addition to Samantha’s classical music studies, she is a singer, as well as a pianist and guitarist. She studied as a voice, acting and musical theater major at The Broadway Workshop at Ripley-Grier studios, as well as the New York Film Academy. She participated in musical theater performances throughout her college career. In 2016, she co-founded an original musical group called, Digital Natives, where she serves as a vocalist, violinist/violist, songwriter, and social media/events manager. They are streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud, and YouTube, and have gained media attention. Samantha is currently collaborating as a producer, songwriter, and vocalist with Grammy-winning artist, Wyclef Jean, as a result of winning a national music competition. ​