Victoria Samek is a critically acclaimed international artist, a highly respected educator and a thoughtful and caring mentor. Combining breath-taking technicality and musical integrity in her performances and recordings, she is driven by her commitment to musical excellence. Born of Czech and Hungarian parents, she was a pupil at The Purcell School and studied clarinet with Roger Fallows before winning a Foundation Scholarship to the Royal College of Music studying clarinet with Colin Bradbury and bass clarinet and saxophone with Steve Trier. She later studied clarinet with Antony Pay. Prize winner of the prestigious Frederick Thurston Memorial Prize, she graduated with honours.

The power of communication in performance, the discipline of practice and the love of music through her chosen instruments have all shaped her distinguished musical career as a performer and recording artist. In 1992 she founded Clarinet & Saxophone Classics as an international recording label celebrating the clarinet and saxophone in all its richness and diversity. The label launched with her first recording of the World Premiere Recording of Copland’s Clarinet Sonata alongside the complete music of ‘les Six’ which was voted ‘most sheerly seductive record of the year’ by the Sunday Times. The label’s significant catalogue by artists encompasses new and period performances as well as carefully restored historical recordings.

Holder of a master’s in performance science from the Royal College of Music, she has combined a lifetime of experience as player, teacher and educator alongside her continued scientific research. This has culminated in a musician’s handbook - Organise, Prioritise, Commit; The Training, Testing and Performing Process. OPC is set to revolutionize training and performing for players, musicians and performers.

Victoria is a D’Addario Performing Artist and an official endorsee for Selmer Paris clarinets.