Samuel J. Keh is an active conductor, educator, and percussionist in the Baltimore/Washington Metropolitan Area. He currently attends the Peabody Conservatory, studying Wind Conducting (M.M.) with Dr. Harlan Parker and acquiring his music education teaching certificate. He received his Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Percussion Performance at the Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music and studied with esteemed faculty members, including John Tafoya, Joseph Gramley, Kevin Bobo, and Sean Dobbins.
As an active educator, Sam currently serves as the percussion coordinator for the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra (BSYO), teaching all the percussionists during rehearsals. He served as the Interim director of bands at Hammond Middle School in Howard County, MD and lead 3 different concert band ensembles. Other engagements include leading percussion sectionals and instructing the front ensemble at Centennial High School in Ellicott City, MD.
Most recently, he was invited as a guest clinician for the Hammond High School Wind Ensemble in Columbia, MD. He has also conducted the Howard High School Wind Ensemble and served as the Drum Major of its Marching Band.
Sam is an active member of the Maryland Winds, a professional wind band consisting of active performers and music educators. He has performed with highly reputable ensembles, including being the principal percussionist of the IU Concert Orchestra. He played side-by-side engagements with the Baltimore Symphony and the New World Symphony. He was also a participant in the Jerry Noble Orchestral Accessories Masterclass at the 2019 Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Indianapolis, IN.
During past summers, Sam performed at the Chautauqua Institution (Chautauqua, NY), Aspen Music Festival - Virtual (Aspen, CO), the National Youth Orchestra 2 (New York, NY), and the Interlochen Arts Camp (Interlochen, MI). During these summers, he studied with well renowned percussionists, most of whom are members in the top professional orchestras.
In addition to orchestral studies, Sam has broadened his playing by exploring percussion instruments from around the world. He was a member of the IU Brazilian Ensemble and played instruments belonging to the Samba Bateria family. Sam composed two fixed media multi-percussion pieces, one of which has been recently premiered in his Senior Recital. He also arranged cadences and front ensemble parts for various high school marching programs.