Bassoonist Samuel Banks joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in September 2009. Before coming to Toronto, he was a member of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for five years.

He has performed as a guest as the first chair of the Canadian Opera Company and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and as a substitute musician with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Starting on bassoon in middle school in California, he played in local wind ensembles and youth orchestras. At age 14 was accepted into the University of California’s Young Musicians Program, where he studied through high school. He attended Northwestern University, where he studied bassoon with Robert Barris. After graduation, he performed as a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

As a soloist, Banks made his New York debut in 2008, performing Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto with the New Amsterdam Symphony Orchestra. He has performed recitals and master classes across the United States and Canada.

Away from music, he enjoys cooking, travel, and long-distance running.