Music Education Alum’s Global Journey as Educator, Composer, and Resea

After earning his BM from NYU Steinhardt, Samuel Wu continued his academic path in London and Toronto.

A black and white photo of Sam Wu playing the violin

When Samuel Wu (BM ’24, Music Education) began searching for colleges, he wasn’t looking for a performance-based conservatory experience. As a creative musician, he wanted a program that offered room to explore. Then he discovered NYU Steinhardt, where the Music Education program stood out for elevating teaching, creativity, and musicianship all at the same time.

“A lot of other schools centered on performance first, and then you could take education classes as an add-on,” says Wu. “NYU Steinhardt felt different, where it was very much about music education as a priority.”

The program’s student-centered philosophy also became apparent during Wu’s audition, which drew him in even more.

“The faculty created a welcoming, encouraging environment that reinforced my impression that they were invested in developing thoughtful educators and musicians, not just recruiting the strongest performers,” says Wu. “In my time at Steinhardt, the program really reinforced my own creativity and showed me how to take educational standards and make them my own.”

Creating His Own Style

Trained in classical violin, Wu took advantage of plenty of opportunities across NYU to broaden his musical interests.

Sam Wu speaking to a rehearsal room of musicians, holding instruments

He was a founding member of Mariachi Violetas de NYU, a student-led musical group dedicated to sharing the rich traditions of Mexican mariachi music. He also took a course called Composer’s Ensemble, in which he collaborated with other student composers to gain performance and recording experience through workshopping new and evolving compositions in a variety of styles with live musicians.

Because of these influences, Wu’s music has evolved: today, he works on electroacoustic performance, combining violin with looping technology and improvisation—an artistic direction that grew from his willingness to explore new musical possibilities.

The Importance of Hands-on Learning

Experiential learning is an impactful part of the Music Education curriculum. Both of Wu’s field placements—at a middle school in the Bronx and at an elementary school near NYU Steinhardt’s campus—gave him valuable teaching experience before graduation.

Sam Wu in a classroom holding his violin, speaking to seated students holding instruments

“I learned a lot from my mentor teachers; they really trusted the Steinhardt students and gave us meaningful opportunities to teach and explore our creativity in the classroom,” says Wu.

What stands out most, however, is the faculty’s commitment to preparing students for an evolving profession. Wu credits his professors with encouraging conversations about technology in the classroom, culturally responsive teaching, and the changing needs of diverse student populations.

“They were always learning alongside us,” says Wu. “Even though they are experienced educators, they kept the conversation fresh about what teaching could and should look like now, not what it looked like 10 years ago.”

Making an Impact for Music Educators Everywhere

That mindset continues to influence Wu’s career. After earning his BM from Steinhardt, he earned a Master of Music in Musicology from King's College London. Next, he will begin a fully funded PhD in Music Education at the University of Toronto, where his research will examine the emotional labor of music teachers and the challenges they face as advocates for arts education.

Sam Wu in a small performance space, plays the violin for an audience

“We say music changes lives and that it’s important for every child,” says Wu. “I’m interested in what that expectation means for the people who teach music every day and how we can better support them, especially as resources for educators continue to shrink.”

Although his research has taken him in new directions, Wu ultimately hopes to return to the classroom, particularly at the elementary level, where he believes students are especially open to creativity and exploration.

Reflecting on his journey, Wu sees NYU Steinhardt as the place where he discovered not only how to become a teacher, but also how to think critically about the future of music education. The creativity, flexibility, and commitment to lifelong learning that defined his undergraduate experience continues to shape his work as a researcher, musician, and educator to this day.