Sam Nester

Artist-in-Residence Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: BMus Queensland Conservatorium of Music; BMus (Hons) Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts; MM Manhattan School of Music; DMA Manhattan School of Music

Research Areas: Music composition, data sonification, performance, SciArt


Sam Nester is a trumpet player, composer, and sound artist. He joined the Center for Genomics and Systems Biology at NYUAD in September 2023 as the inaugural artist-in-residence. His work focuses on the relationship between humans and the natural world and he is collaborating with NYU scientists and researchers on the creation of new sci|art projects that explore environmental adaptation and sustainability. In addition, Nester is working with scientists from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and policy officers from the Directorate General for Environment on new works at the nexus of art, science, and policy, due to open in 2024. He serves on faculty at The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music in New York.