Sam is the son of two gifted educators who instilled in him a lifelong love of learning. He began studying the violin at age nine, a passion that eventually earned him a full scholarship to the Oberlin Conservatory, where he completed a bachelor's degree in Music Composition and a master’s in Orchestral Conducting. His dedication to musical excellence was nationally recognized when he was selected as an Academy Conductor at the prestigious American Academy of Conducting at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Sam went on to co-found one of the largest and most respected music schools in Northern Ohio, where he taught hundreds of students practical music theory—focused not on memorization or abstract rules, but on clarity, creativity, and real-world application. That experience shaped the foundation of Tonalyze™: a learning platform built for everyday musicians who want to finally understand how music works and use that knowledge to express themselves with confidence. With decades of teaching and leadership behind him, Sam created Tonalyze™ to give adult learners a structured, encouraging, and deeply practical path through music theory—one that inspires creativity, fuels progress, and puts joy at the center of the journey.