Faculty & Staff

Samantha Winkler is the Assistant to the Director of Admissions at VanderCook College of Music. She has previously served in administrative roles at the Brevard Music Center, Music & Arts, and Northwestern University, combining her passion for music with a strong background in leadership and organization.

Samantha graduated from Northwestern University with her Master’s in Clarinet Performance, studying with Chicago clarinetists Stephen Williamson and Steve Cohen. While attending Northwestern, she successfully developed a thriving private lesson studio and gained valuable administrative experience working with the Student Affairs Office. She has also been both a student and Assistant Dean at the Brevard Music Center Summer Festival and was a semi-finalist in the Jan and Beattie Wood Concerto Competition.

Beyond her administrative work, Samantha remains an active performer, playing with ensembles such as the Naperville Winds and the West Suburban Symphony Orchestra. A passionate advocate for music education, she is excited to support and inspire future music educators at VanderCook.