The Mr. and Mrs. J. Christopher Walker, II Chair

A native of San Antonio, Samuel Almaguer is Principal Clarinet of the North Carolina Symphony. Previous to his time in North Carolina, he played second clarinet with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. As a chamber musician, he most recently was a member of Incontri Musicali in Spoleto, Italy. His performances have been broadcast on WGBH Boston, WUNC in the Research Triangle, and on local television in Los Angeles. At a young age he was featured on National Public Radio’s From the Top with pianist Christopher O’Riley.

Almaguer is an avid pursuer of contemporary music, having been featured as a guest artist with the Festival of Contemporary Music at Tanglewood, Wild Up! in Los Angeles, and various projects with the North Carolina Symphony. While in school, he was a fellow at both the Tanglewood Music Center and Music Academy of the West. He received his undergraduate degree at The Colburn School in Los Angeles and attended Rice University for graduate studies. His primary teachers include Yehuda Gilad, Richie Hawley, and Ilya Shterenberg. He was a 2013 Vandoren Emerging Artist.