Big Universe Music Teacher Spotlight: Sam Stott
—voice, piano, guitar, drums, clarinet—
Sam Stott is a singer and multi-instrumentalist, including guitar, piano, drums and clarinet. She received her Bachelors in Vocal Performance from The University of West Florida and has her Graduate Degree from Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music in Vocal Performance. Sam also has a band called Lights With Fire, which is an alternative folk rock band that she fronts and composes the music for, and plays in venues all around Florida and the Panhandle. Her passions for music and teaching are evident in every part of her life as she continues to pursue her love of music.
What instruments and musical topics do you teach?
I have been teaching voice, guitar, piano, bass, and songwriting for the last 3 and a half years in Brooklyn, NY at School of Rock. I just moved to Pensacola, FL where I am now a part of Big Universe Music teaching online.
Tell us about how you learned music. Did you take music lessons in your childhood? Did you study in college? Any continued education after college?
I started off taking drumming and singing lessons in middle school and when I got into High School, I was in choir and on the drum line. In the meantime, I taught myself guitar and bass and started writing my own music. I did my Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees in Vocal Performance and eventually started my own band called Lights With Fire in which I sing, play guitar and write the music for.
What’s your favorite style of music?
My favorite style of music is probably Alternative Rock. I also take a lot of inspiration from Folk music and Classical music.
What inspired you to start playing music?
Writing and playing music is something that has just always been for me. It is innately inside of me and is how I express myself creatively and connect with others.
What’s your most memorable performance experience?
My most memorable performance is probably when my band played at a festival in NYC. It was at an underground venue called Rubalad and was incredible to be surrounded by so many creatives and passionate musicians.
Where is your favorite place to write, teach, or perform?
I love to write on the water outside my house. The ocean is right outside and it is so serene to be able to connect with nature in this way while writing.
What’s something that one of your students have accomplished that you’re most proud of?
One student and I worked really hard on a guitar solo for an entire semester and I got to go to the performance. When the time came for the solo, they absolutely nailed it and then looked at me in the audience and I gave them a big thumbs up! It warmed my heart that they looked at me because I remember doing the same thing with my teachers during performances and I am just happy I can pass it on.
What’s something that you’ve accomplished as an artist that you’re most proud of?
I’ve written, recorded, and released three albums over the course of my professional music career and I am incredibly proud of each of these projects.
Which artist is your biggest inspiration?
Radiohead is my biggest inspiration with how innovative and creative they are. They are not afraid to push boundaries and make music that is daring. I strive to be like this with my own music and art.
How do you like to listen to music (vinyl, CDs, streaming)?
I love to listen and collect vinyl- it is such a unique experience to be enjoyed with friends and family. Even though CDs are out of style, they are almost becoming a cool collectors item now so I love them as well.
Anything else your future students should know?
Only that I am very eager to share all of my knowledge and passion for music to the new generations and can’t wait to meet you!
