Samuel Hager has been a member of the San Diego Symphony since October of 2006. A native of Waukegan, IL, Samuel earned his bachelor’s degree in Double Bass Performance from Indiana University as a student of Bruce Bransby. Mr. Hager continued his studies with David Moore at the University of Southern California, where he received a Graduate Certificate in 2005.
Before joining the San Diego Symphony, Sam played one season with the Oregon Symphony, and was a member of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Evansville Philharmonic and Owensboro Symphony. During his time in Los Angeles, Samuel was privileged to work with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Long Beach Symphony and Riverside Philharmonic.
Sam spent six summers as a full scholarship Orchestral Fellowship student at the Aspen Music Festival where he was exposed to world class teachers and performers, as well as the great outdoors. While in Aspen, Sam spent many free days exploring the “Colorado fourteeners” and continues to hike and climb mountains here in California.
Samuel Hager plays on a Modern Italian double bass circa 1930 made by Giuseppe Tarantino.