Sam Weller

Australian conductor Sam Weller was one of six ‘designated winners’ of the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam 2025, which saw him conduct ensembles such as the Rotterdam Philharmonic, Klangforum Wien and Orchestra of the 18th Century.  

Spending his time between Australia and The Netherlands, highlights of the 2026-27 season include Sam’s debut with Sydney Symphony Orchestra and a return to West Australian Symphony Orchestra. He will also lead a run of Opera Australia’s production of The Magic Flute in Melbourne and performances of Britten’s War Requiem at The Royal Conservatoire, Den Haag. 

Recent highlights include performances with the Dutch Radio Philharmonic with whom he debuted at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, as well as performances with Noord Nederlands Orkest, Residentie Orkest, Tasmanian Symphony, Adelaide Symphony and Queensland Symphony and an appearance in Opera Australia's 70th birthday gala.

With a broad repertoire, Sam is particularly drawn to music from the 20th century onwards (reflecting his background as a saxophonist) and has had an impact on the Dutch and Australian orchestral scenes through his advocacy and fluid interpretation of contemporary music.

In 2016, Sam founded Ensemble Apex, which has been hailed as ‘one of the most exciting new ensembles on the Sydney scene’ (Limelight Magazine). In 2024 they launched Apex Festival supported by the Australian Government - a cutting edge new orchestral music festival in Australia.

Sam is a guest lecturer and conductor at Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Conservatorium van Amsterdam and The Royal Conservatoire, Den Haag. He graduated from the prestigious National Masters of Orchestral Conducting in The Netherlands in 2022, where he studied with Ed Spanjaard, Jac Van Steen, Kenneth Montgomery OBE and guest professor Antony Hermus.