Cellist Samuel Pierce-Ruhland completed his Master's degree in May 2016 at Mannes School of Music in New York City, where he studied with Timothy Eddy. His previous teachers include Steven Doane of The Eastman School of Music, Hans Jensen of Northwestern University, and Joseph Johnson, principal cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. He has played in masterclasses given by Janos Starker, Lynn Harrell, Timothy Eddy, Colin Carr, Paul Watkins, Desmond Hoebig, Clive Greensmith, and Natasha Brofsky, as well as the Guarneri, Mendelssohn, and Pacifica Quartets. 

A dedicated orchestral musician, Sam regularly appeared as principal cellist in school and festival orchestras, and was appointed to a one-year full time position in the Rochester Philharmonic for the 2013-14 season following his graduation from Eastman. During his tenure as Assistant Principal cellist in the Omaha Symphony, he gave the Midwest premiere of Mark Adamo’s cello concerto “Last Year” with Jeri Lynne Johnson. He now holds positions in the Rochester Philharmonic and Chautauqua Symphony orchestras.

Sam is also an enthusiastic chamber musician, and has attended festivals such as Yellow Barn, Sarasota, and Music Mountain. In the fall of 2015, he participated in a unique and multifaceted project in Germany involving performing and recording Olivier Messiaen's Quatour pour la Fin du Temps.