This prestigious appointment follows his acclaimed Royal Opera debut in May 2025, when he stepped in at short notice to perform the title role in Telemann’s Pimpinone at the Linbury Theatre. He will make his main stage debut early next year as Baron Douphol in Richard Eyre’s celebrated production of La Traviata.

A graduate of the Royal College of Music (RCM), Sam completed both undergraduate and postgraduate studies with distinction, earning a Master’s degree and the Tagore Gold Medal, one of the College’s highest honours. In 2024-25, he was a member of the RCM’s Opera Studio, studying with some of the world’s most respected opera professionals including Sir Thomas Allen.

His recent opera roles include Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro and Danilo in The Merry Widow, both performed at the RCM. He made his Wigmore Hall debut in 2024 and has since garnered recognition on the international stage, winning the Clonter Opera Prize, the Peter Hulsen Orchestral Song Competition, and the Prix Thierry Mermod at the 2023 Verbier Festival, where he was a member of the Atelier Lyrique.

Securing a coveted position as a Jette Parker Artist with the Royal Opera is a remarkable achievement for Sam – the Programme selects a maximum of just six new salaried artists each year, offering them exceptional training and performance opportunities.

His journey to Covent Garden began nearly a decade ago, when a backstage tour of the Royal Opera House led by singing teacher Chris Thornton-Holmes left a lasting impression. “We each sang a single note on the main stage,” Sam recalls. “From that moment, I dreamed of returning as a performer.”

As his schoolboy dream is about to become a reality, Sam acknowledges a wide network of mentors and collaborators who have supported him along the way. In particular, he credits the RCM Vocal Faculty, Robert Readman (73–80) and Pick Me Up Theatre, and his long-time teachers Chris Thornton-Holmes (Former Staff 13–18) and Peter Savidge (RCM), for their invaluable guidance. But it all began, Sam says, with Martin Kettlewell (Former Staff, 99-19), a former Director of Music at Pocklington School. It was Martin’s belief in Sam – casting him as the Artful Dodger in Oliver! at the age of eleven and later encouraging him to take Music at A Level – that set everything in motion. “The dedication, insight, and belief in me from Martin and all of these incredible people has been instrumental,” Sam reflects.

With his Covent Garden main stage debut on the horizon, Sam is poised to bring his talent, artistry, and passion for opera to one of the world’s most iconic stages.

If any OPs would like to see Sam perform, tickets for La Traviata are now on sale via the Royal Opera website here.

Important: Please check the cast lists before booking. Sam is scheduled to be performing on the following dates: 8 January (eve), 10 January (eve), 14 January (eve), 16 January (eve), 23 January (eve), 28 January (am), 31 January (eve).