Sam Matthews

Sam Matthews, cellist, luthier and director of the Paganini School, has been an active teacher and clinician for the past 20 years. Sam began his musical journey as a 4 year old Suzuki violin student in Springfield, MO, attending many Suzuki institutes in the midwest well into college. At age 12, he began learning cello as well and by age 15 made the complete switch to cello from violin. Mr. Matthews went on to complete a Bachelors and Master’s in cello performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Following graduation, Mr. Matthews made the journey to Shanghai, China, where he worked as an orchestra director for several institutions and ensembles including: the Shanghai American School, Fudan University’s International School, Shanghai International Youth Orchestra, and the Shanghai Promusica Chamber Orchestra. During this time, he was sought after in China as an orchestral clinician as well as a performer in multiple professional ensembles.

Upon returning to the USA in 2011, Mr. Matthews made Houston home, and quickly established himself as a leading cello instructor and clinician (full orchestra and cello) in the area. Many of his former cello students have gone on to be successful participants in All-Region and All-State orchestras, as well as careers in music. After a short hiatus from private lesson teaching, to manage the growth of his business, Sam’s Strings Violin Shop and his family obligations as the father of twin boys, Mr. Matthews founded the Paganini School of Music in 2019 with a team of talented and devoted teachers, which currently has over 250 violin, viola and cello students. Mr. Matthews is a Suzuki Registered cello teacher and the director of the Space City Suzuki Institute.