Born in the Netherlands, Chinese Double Bassist Koon Ngai Samuel Lee (Sam) is currently a fourth-year undergraduate at the Royal College of Music, London, studying with Caroline Emery and Carina Cosgrave. He began his studies at the age of 15 and was previously taught by Lewis Braham.
Sam is passionate about orchestral music, performing regularly with orchestras at the Royal College of Music and further afield. Recent highlights include a BBC Prom in the summer of 2024, under the baton of Sakari Oramo. Sam has also performed in many prestigious venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Hall, Cadogan Hall, Royal Festival Hall and the Royal Albert Hall.
Not only is he well-versed in performing with modern orchestras, Sam also plays regularly with the historical bass, both on baroque and in Viennese. Recently performing St Matthew Passion with Florilegium at the Royal Festival Hall.
Sam has had the opportunity to play in several masterclasses, performing to Mikyung Sung, Nikita Naumov, Ira Gold, Rodrigo Moro Martin, Enno Senft, Simo Vaisanen and Alice Kent.
Sam finds great joy in playing chamber music, and was previously a member of The Triton Quintet, a talented group composed of fellow RCM students, performing Schubert’s Trout Quintet and a newly commissioned piece by Asher Joyce. Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 season, Sam will be performing with a newly formed double bass quartet.
Sam Lee
