Samantha Steele - Musician, Producer, Educator, and Consultant
- Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM
- Mar 10, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 7
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Meet Samantha Steele.
In a recent follow-up interview, Mark, the founder of the Arts and Culture Network, caught up with full member Samatha Steele to discuss her recent news and accomplishments.
Samantha shared that she recently gave a TEDx talk at TEDx Ladywood in Birmingham, titled "The Audio Diet," which discussed how the music and words we listen to can impact personal development. She emphasized her mission to bring this concept to young people through the "sonic shift" and provide them with the necessary toolkits.
Sonic Shift: Sound Awareness Program
Samantha discussed the Sonic Shift program, which aims to help people become more aware of how sound affects their daily lives. The program is structured around pillars like "S is for sound" and "H is for habit," offering tools for personal development without strict timelines.
Samantha highlighted the importance of teaching students, particularly in secondary schools, to be mindful of how they engage with sound and music, emphasising the impact of short music clips on concentration and the value of joyful music. She also noted that not all students can identify songs that bring them joy, suggesting a need to encourage reflection on music's role in their lives.
Power of Sound Selection
Samantha discussed the acronym SHIFT, which stands for Sound Selection, Habit Hooks, Inner Influence, Flow Framework, and Transformation Tracks. She shared personal experiences of how audiobooks and podcasts, such as "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins, helped her rewire her mindset and achieve personal goals, including completing a half marathon and leading an orchestra for a Netflix promotion. Samantha emphasized the power of words and positive influences in shaping one's beliefs and capabilities.
Journey to Purpose Through Books
Samantha shared her personal journey of finding purpose and fulfillment through books and self-reflection, emphasizing the transformative impact of this approach on her life and her desire to help others find their own path. Mark acknowledged Samantha's contributions and expressed appreciation for her insights, comparing her approach to that of marketing philosopher Seth Godin.
Watch it here:
In the main interview, Mark invited Samatha Steele to create her own fantasy cultural year from the answers to some easy questions where there are no wrong answers. Enjoy her journey below.
Samantha Steele’s journey in music began in Essex, where she attended Havering Music School. Learning both the violin and piano from the age of four, she developed a lifelong passion for music, nurtured by a diverse range of influences, from reggae and soul to orchestral and cinematic compositions.
Her professional career took root in music education, where she dedicated 16 years as a secondary music teacher. In this role, she worked both collaboratively and independently to create enriching opportunities for students, including organising extracurricular activities that allowed them to participate in orchestral concerts and engage with professional musicians.
Her teaching career also extended internationally, where she served as both a music educator and a CELTA-certified English teacher.
In addition to teaching, Samantha has built an impressive portfolio as a musician, producer, and project manager. As a violinist in the London Contemporary Chamber Orchestra (LCCO), she remains deeply connected to orchestral music while simultaneously composing and producing her own works. Her compositions often blend elements of soul, orchestral arrangements, and cinematic depth, reflecting her broad musical influences.
Samantha Steele's production work includes collaborations with independent artists, resulting in multiple music releases. Actively sharing her work on platforms like SoundCloud and Instagram under the name "I Am Lady Steele," she is also growing her presence on LinkedIn as a composer and producer.
Currently, Samantha is expanding her career into project management, leveraging her extensive experience in education and music. She has obtained a Project Fundamentals Qualification and is furthering her expertise through PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies.
Alongside her studies, Samantha plays a key role in the Woolwich Works Creative Club, where she provides administrative management and supports creative programming.
As an engaged member of the Arts and Culture Network, Samantha is committed to fostering creative communities. Her contributions help sustain initiatives that support artists and musicians, reinforcing her dedication to the cultural sector.
Looking forward, Samantha aims to integrate her background in teaching, music, and project management into a dynamic career that bridges creative education, music production, and arts administration. Her journey exemplifies adaptability, passion, and continuous artistic and professional growth.
Samatha's Fantasy Cultural Year ... with a magic wand and time machine to hand.
In an imaginative and engaging interview, Mark Walmsley guided Samantha Steele through the creation of her ideal fantasy cultural year. Through a series of thoughtful questions, Samantha’s dream year unfolded, blending music, art, literature, and travel into a rich tapestry of experiences.
The journey began at the Southbank Centre’s Festival Hall in London, where Samantha envisioned herself on the fifth-floor terrace, sipping a Negroni while anticipating an evening concert. Accompanying her was "The 5 AM Club," a book that had significantly influenced her, inspiring an early morning routine that transformed her productivity and well-being.
The fantasy escalated when Mark introduced an enticing but fictitious opportunity, a prestigious, well-funded research role sponsored by a London-based foundation. The project focused on exploring the impact of music education, particularly composition and improvisation, on children's creativity. The position came with a TED Talk, a university lecture tour, a book deal, and even the prospect of a television series documenting her findings.
When asked where she would begin her research, Samantha ultimately chose Cusco, Peru, a city she holds dear. Mark set the scene of a grand townhouse overlooking Cusco’s vibrant cityscape, where she would reside in luxury. Upon her arrival, a private jet whisked her from Lima to Cusco, where she was warmly welcomed by local musicians and educators eager to collaborate.
Her cultural itinerary was equally enriching. She attended a contemporary dance performance, reflecting her deep appreciation for ballet and orchestral music. For dinner, she indulged in a fusion of French and Argentinian cuisine, combining two of her favourite culinary styles. When it came to sports, Samantha’s passion for athletics led her to choose a stadium event, particularly captivated by the electrifying atmosphere of a 100-meter sprint.
A visit to a digital art gallery in Lima presented a unique opportunity, stepping into the surreal world of Salvador Dalí through virtual reality. She recounted how Dalí’s work had captivated her since her twenties, sparking a discussion on how his art could be translated into music, potentially through a project involving multiple composers interpreting his paintings in distinct styles.
Samantha’s week of cultural indulgence with Mark unfolded as follows:
Monday: A long-awaited concert by Amy Winehouse in an intimate Camden venue, fulfilling a missed opportunity from her past.
Tuesday: A night at the theatre watching Agatha Christie's timeless mystery, "The Mousetrap."
Wednesday: A Broadway or West End production of "Wicked," featuring its original cast.
Thursday: An opera performance of "La Bohème," despite her initial hesitations about the genre.
Friday: A film screening of "My Life Without Me," a poignant drama she highly recommended.
As the dream year reached its finale, Mark invited Samantha to a hero’s lunch in Lima, where she could dine with any historical or cultural figure. After some reflection, she selected Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, drawn to the beauty and emotional depth of his compositions.
The interview concluded with Samantha reflecting on the experience, recognising how it had broadened her perspective and sparked new aspirations. Mark congratulated her on her recent professional endeavours and suggested a future follow-up to see how her real-life journey unfolds.
This captivating and playful exercise provided a revealing glimpse into Samantha Steele’s artistic passions, intellectual pursuits, and the profound role of music, art, and education in her life.
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Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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