Samuel Dahmer
Adjunct, Instructor of Strings
sdahmer@wmcarey.edu
Dr. Samuel Dahmer is one of the most sought-after orchestral bassists in Southern Mississippi. With a wide experience as an orchestral musician and music educator, Dr. Dahmer has performed with many orchestras in the United States and abroad, and has taught a varied set of string students. He is currently the Adjunct Bass Professor at William Carey University and University of West Florida, and has been for many years a Strings Teacher at the Hattiesburg Public School District Strings Program.
Dahmer holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brazil, and a Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in String Bass Performance and Pedagogy degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi. He has been awarded Graduate Assistantships for both his Master and Doctor’s degrees at USM, and has served as a Teaching Assistant of the USM Bass Studio for many years as well as Adjunct Bass Professor at USM.
Samuel Dahmer’s orchestral career started in Brazil as the Principal Double Bass of the PUCRS Philharmonic Orchestra and section bass of the University of Caxias do Sul Symphony Orchestra, orchestras that he performed over many years. At the PUCRS Philharmonic, Dahmer had the opportunity to perform with important Brazilian artists such as Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Zizi Possi, MPB4, and the famous British rock group Jethro Tull. In 2004, after finishing his Bachelor’s studies, Dahmer performed for three years in a major full-time orchestra in Brazil, the Porto Alegre Symphony Orchestra (OSPA). At OSPA, Dahmer developed a vast acquaintance with orchestral repertoire, performing all the most important orchestral works under the baton of many acclaimed conductors such as Isaac Karabchevistky, Kiyotaka Teraoka, Roberto Duarte, etc. He also performed as a guest musician with many other orchestras in Brazil such as the Lutheran University Chamber Orchestra and the São Pedro Chamber Orchestra.
In the United States, Dahmer is the Principal Bass of the Meridian Symphony Orchestra, and bass section of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. He also has performed with the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, and performs every summer with the Festival South Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Dahmer is also an active Bass Coach for summer strings camps in the Southern Mississippi area, such as the Festival South Orchestral and Chamber Academy.
