Sam Kubina (b. 1994) is an accomplished composer and music educator currently living in central Indiana, USA with his pet quaker parrot, Claude. His original music has been described as "unusual, unexpected, unbound, simple yet effective." His music has been performed by the University of Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Ball State Concert Choir, the Cyrus Modern Orchestra, Sheridan High School and Middle School Bands, Shelbyville High School Wind Ensemble, and various friends and colleagues who have performed his chamber ensemble and solo works. He also maintains a private online studio helping students of all ages grow in their musical skills and experiences.
Education & Background
He graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a B.M. in Music Performance and Composition, and from Ball State University with an M.A. in Music. He studied Piano with Dr. Sharon Parr, Dr. E. J. Choe, and Dr. James Helton. He also studied Flute/Irish Flute with Dr. Tamara Thweatt, Tuba with Dr. Glen Dimick, Harp with Dr. Annie King, Composition with Dr. John Berners, Conducting with Dr. Vu Nguyen, and further personal studies on Irish Flute and Cello. During his Masters, he taught undergraduate Aural Skills and Sight Singing courses under the guidance of Dr. Brett Clement. He has recently started exploring his Slavic heritage through the Fujara, an overtone fipple folk flute traditionally played by shepherds in Slovakia.
Prior to his collegiate studies, he began playing piano at the age of 5 when he discovered that pressing different keys made sounds and from then on, there was no stopping the noise. He was an active member of the band and choir programs during middle and high school, receiving various awards, including the John Philip Sousa Award his senior year. On one fateful day in fifth grade, a friend challenged him to a song writing contest. Not to be outdone, he quickly accepted and that decision sparked a never ending love of creating new works and exploring the world of music and sound. It also led to him winning the IMEA Composition Competition in 2010 and 2011 in the wind ensemble and choral categories. These early years started a lifelong pursuit of music and were it not for them, Sam would probably be living a much quieter life.
Education & Background
He graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a B.M. in Music Performance and Composition, and from Ball State University with an M.A. in Music. He studied Piano with Dr. Sharon Parr, Dr. E. J. Choe, and Dr. James Helton. He also studied Flute/Irish Flute with Dr. Tamara Thweatt, Tuba with Dr. Glen Dimick, Harp with Dr. Annie King, Composition with Dr. John Berners, Conducting with Dr. Vu Nguyen, and further personal studies on Irish Flute and Cello. During his Masters, he taught undergraduate Aural Skills and Sight Singing courses under the guidance of Dr. Brett Clement. He has recently started exploring his Slavic heritage through the Fujara, an overtone fipple folk flute traditionally played by shepherds in Slovakia.
Prior to his collegiate studies, he began playing piano at the age of 5 when he discovered that pressing different keys made sounds and from then on, there was no stopping the noise. He was an active member of the band and choir programs during middle and high school, receiving various awards, including the John Philip Sousa Award his senior year. On one fateful day in fifth grade, a friend challenged him to a song writing contest. Not to be outdone, he quickly accepted and that decision sparked a never ending love of creating new works and exploring the world of music and sound. It also led to him winning the IMEA Composition Competition in 2010 and 2011 in the wind ensemble and choral categories. These early years started a lifelong pursuit of music and were it not for them, Sam would probably be living a much quieter life.