Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sam Matthews. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sam , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
Growing up a Suzuki violin kid, every Saturday morning my parents would take me to an old two-story yellow house near the university campus, where I would have group classes, private lessons, etc. It was a weekend ritual, which like so many things we do regularly, begins to define who we are. Every semester we would have marathon recitals and many of us would attend music summer camps, expanding our network of Suzuki friends. These experiences helped to create unspoken (and spoken!) bonds between the musical clan of students. Later, while in high school, we would cross each other in the halls, and give each other a nod or wink, acknowledging how far we go back and what we share in common, even though our paths may have diverged. Years later, those bonds and new ones that formed as a professional musician, bring new meaning now as a parent of young strings players. When we first moved to Houston in 2011, I opened up Sam’s Strings Violin Shop where we sell, rent and repair violin family instruments and bows to this day. However, as my own children started learning music, I really wanted to help create a musical community here in Katy that my own children could be part of – Thus, in August 2019, I formed the Paganini School of Music in our new larger facility which we built as part of Sam’s Strings’ expansion. The school brings together some of the best instructors in the Houston area, all of whom have at least a Masters (some with Doctorate degrees), years of experience, and above all a passion for teaching. Now, our program is nearing 200 violin, viola and cello students, ranging in age from 4 years old through to adult learners. Following the height of the pandemic and all the challenges of online learning we persevered through, we had our first live recitals (not quite the marathons of old, but we’ll get there!) in December, with over 70 students performing. Group classes have now resumed, and we are back on track for creating those hard earned bonds, memories, and friendships together through learning music.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As both of my parents are amateur musicians and my older brother and uncle are professional musicians as well, my future path seemed pretty straightforward growing up. I would have never guessed the twists and turns I would take, before eventually landing in Texas over 10 years ago, and the owner of a violin shop and music school! One thing that I love about our business, and what I think really makes it unique, are the regular customers and students who we see on a regular basis. Some people come once a few months for a bow rehair, and tell me about their upcoming concerts and events. Others, I see weekly, as they come in for lessons. It is so fun to see children progress and achieve, in a positive learning environment. Often times it feels like we are a one-stop shop for all violin related needs, and that is kind of a fun position to be in. We are a family business in every sense of the meaning. My wife and I are here most days of the week, and it is not unusual to see/hear one of my own children practicing away in one of the showrooms after hours. Our clients know this, and I believe this brings a sense of ownership for them as well, knowing they are part of something unique and local.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I practiced a LOT when I was in high school and college, often times 6 hours + a day, striving to become the very best I could. But, similar to a lot of aspiring athletes, I became injured and suffered nerve damage, preventing me from pursuing a performing career. This was a hard pill to swallow, and I fought it tooth and nail! However, with the help of my wife and an inspiring 5 year journey exploring musical education and instrument manufacturing while I lived in China, I was able to emerge, in the same field, but with a new drive and passion, which is continuing to develop today through Sam’s Strings Violin Shop and the Paganini School of Music.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
One of the most rewarding parts about being in any artistic field, is that we get to pass along the skills to others. When you teach someone how to express themselves through music, you are gifting them the power to change and move others. That is an amazing opportunity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.paganinischool.com www.samsstrings.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/samsstringsviolinshop/ instagram.com/paganinischoolofmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paganinischool https://www.facebook.com/samsstringsviolinshop

Image Credits
I will send more photos soon.