Bassoonist Samuel Rhoton has enjoyed a diverse career as a chamber musician, educator, orchestral musician, and administrator. Originally from Salem, Oregon, he has toured internationally in Latin America and across the U.S. Samuel is the newest tenured member of the Portland Opera and the Oregon Ballet Theater Orchestras, where he initially won his positions in 2023 and 2024. After a recent successful audition, Samuel will be joining the Eugene Symphony as Second Bassoon starting on January 1st, 2026. In the 2024-25 season, Sam served as acting Principal Bassoon with the Anchorage Symphony. In 2023, Samuel served as the acting second bassoon of the Houston Grand Opera for the final productions of their season, some of which included Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca and Richard Strauss’ Salome. In 2017,  he served as Associate Principal Bassoon with the National Youth Orchestra of America as they toured Latin America under the direction of Maestra Marin Alsop. The tour began with a Carnegie Hall performance and subsequent appearances in Guadalajara, Mexico; Quito, Ecuador; and Bogotá, Colombia. Samuel has had guest performances as principal and section bassoon with the Houston Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Oregon Ballet Theater, Vancouver Symphony (USA), Aquillon Festival, Corvallis Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival, 45th Parallel Universe, and Opera in the Heights.