Sam Weller

Born in Australia, and now residing in The Netherlands, Sam Weller is a conductor who has made a name for himself in the music world with his passion for creating orchestral music experiences. Most recently he was announced one of six ‘designated winners’ of the International Conducting Competition Rotterdam which will see him make his debut with the Rotterdam Philharmonic in 2025.

In 2016, Sam founded Ensemble Apex and has been the orchestra's music and artistic director since then. He has led the orchestra in critically acclaimed performances of various repertoire, including works by contemporary composers and most recently Verdi’s monumental Requiem with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs. The orchestra is proud to break down barriers between performer and audience and are known for creating eclectic, immersive orchestral music experiences and has been lauded as ‘one of the most exciting ensembles on the scene’.

Sam is enjoying a thriving freelance career as a guest conductor having worked with orchestras including; The Dutch Radio Philharmonic, Residentie Orkest, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Noord Nederlands Orkest, PHION, PhilZuid and Canberra Symphony Orchestra. In 2025 he makes his Concertgebouw debut with the Radio Philharmonic, and also debuts with Tasmanian and Queensland Symphony.

Equally excited about opera, Sam has lead a national tour of Mozart’s Magic Flute in The Netherlands, and has worked as Music Director on two contemporary productions for the Dutch National Opera Academy.

Sam graduated with an MMus from the prestigious National Masters of Orchestral Conducting at Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Koninklijk Conservatoire Den Haag, where he was taught by Jac van Steen, Kenneth Montgomery OBE, Ed Spanjaard, and Antony Hermus. As an assistant Sam has served Simone Young, Karina Cannellakis and Mark Wiggelsworth. Sam was a participant in the Australian Conducting Academy in 2023 and 2024.