ABOUT
Sam Kerns is an accomplished classical cellist and dedicated educator based in Edmond, Oklahoma. With a career rooted in both performance and pedagogy, she is widely respected for her warm, expressive tone, technical precision, and her passion for nurturing musicians of all ages and backgrounds. Sam performs regularly with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and has held a contract with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. She is also a frequent substitute with regional ensembles including the Fort Smith Symphony and Wichita Falls Symphony.
Sam holds both a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Cello Performance (Cum Laude) and a Master of Music degree from Oklahoma State University, where she studied under Dr. Meredith Blecha-Wells. During her graduate studies, she served as a teaching assistant for the Greenwood School of Music, gaining valuable experience mentoring undergraduate students and leading studio classes. Sam’s outstanding musicianship has been recognized through numerous awards, including first place in the Ad Astra String Competition (2018), second place in 2017, and winning the Oklahoma State University Concerto Competition, which led to a solo performance with the OSU Symphony Orchestra.
She has also been accepted into several notable summer music festivals, including the Brevard Summer Music Festival and Eastern Music Festival, and later attended the Hot Springs Music Festival, where she refined her orchestral and chamber music skills in a professional training environment.
Equally devoted to teaching, Sam runs a dynamic private cello studio in Edmond, where she works with students ranging from young beginners to adult learners. Her teaching draws on both traditional and Suzuki philosophies, and she has completed Suzuki Cello Units 1 through 6 with renowned pedagogue Shu-Yi Scott at various programs, including the Chicago Suzuki Institute. Sam’s approach is holistic, emphasizing not only strong technique and musical interpretation, but also the development of mindful practice habits, goal setting, and a confident performance mindset.
What truly sets Sam apart as a teacher is her commitment to working with students of all levels of seriousness. While many of her students have gone on to achieve impressive accolades—such as soloing with the Tulsa Community Orchestra, making the Oklahoma All-State Orchestra, and gaining admission to elite programs like the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute—she is equally passionate about supporting those who play purely for personal enrichment. She believes that every student deserves high-quality, individualized instruction, whether they aspire to pursue music professionally or simply enjoy the lifelong benefits of musical study.
Sam’s students have also participated in respected regional opportunities such as the North Central Honors Orchestra, OSU Summer Music Camp, Arkansas Summer Music Camp, and CelloFest at OSU. Her studio fosters a supportive, inspiring environment where students are encouraged to grow at their own pace, build resilience, and experience the joy of music-making.
Through her dual roles as performer and teacher, Sam Kerns continues to contribute meaningfully to Oklahoma’s classical music community—bringing artistry, empathy, and excellence to everything she does
Sam performing with Dr. Blecha Spring 2024