SAE is thrilled to welcome new Audio Head of Department, Sam Taylor, to the SAE fold.

Sam is a seasoned session musician. His live performances include playing on BBC6 radio (UK), Later with Jools Holland BBC (UK), FBI radio (AUS), Vodafone New Zealand Music awards, 2016 Silver scrolls and numerous performances on NZ radio including performances on The Edge, Radio Hauraki, More FM, Radio NZ and bFM.

Sam has also toured extensively. This includes touring across Europe multiple times as well as touring around Australia and New Zealand, with a short U.S. tour planned in the near future. 

Recently, Sam contributed Guitars, Piano, Synth, and Vocals to Nadia Reid’s award winning album ‘Preservation’. The album has received great reviews around the world including Mojo Magazine giving it a 4/5 stars.    

Prior to joining SAE, Sam held a number of positions at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa in Mangere, South Auckland. These positions included Performing Arts Lecturer, Manager of the Performing Arts Department, and Co-Manager of the Te reo Māori Department.

Sam speaks Te Reo Māori fluently. He is relentless in promulgating the language and encouraging others to learn.

His musical passions/interests are wide and varied. He’s worked with everything from Pop music to Punk bands to large Jazz ensembles.

Sam brings a unique set of skills, a wealth of experience but most importantly a life long passion for teaching and learning.

"I am very excited to be joining such a great team here at SAE. One of my favourite Proverbs reads ' Ka whati te tai ka pao te torea' This translates to, when the tide recedes the sea bird swoops or strikes. It applies to our students taking the great opportunities here at SAE. It also speaks to the fact we must keep making those opportunities available for our students, so they may flourish and succeed at studies, and as producers in the industry."

SAE Auckland Campus Director, Suzette Major is thrilled at the appointment, saying, “Sam brings that unique combination of ‘street cred’ as a seasoned musician, with academic prowess and management experience. He is the ideal person to head our Audio department.”