Samantha Malk appointed Head of Vocal Studies

Samantha joined Guildhall in 2018 as Deputy Head of Vocal Studies and has served as Acting Head of Vocal Studies since March 2025. As a mezzo soprano, Samantha performed on opera and concert stages throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas and her native South Africa, including at Carnegie Hall, Concertgebouw Brugge, Seiji Ozawa Hall and Snape Maltings.  

Samantha has established a significant reputation as a teacher and mentor, working with singers now performing with globally renowned opera companies and festivals, such as Bayerische Staatsoper, LA Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Opéra National de Paris, Komische Oper Berlin, Festival d’Aix-en-Provence and Tanglewood Music Festival.  

Samantha’s students include members of major international Young Artist Programmes including at the Metropolitan Opera, Staatsoper Hamburg and Opéra de Montreal, as well as the UK’s summer opera companies, and she has herself served on the faculties of the Metropolitan Opera's Lindemann Young Artist Development Program, Lakes Area Music Festival, Brooklyn College and the International Vocal Arts Institute. In summer 2025 she joins the faculty of the Mediterranean Opera Studio.  

Armin Zanner, Vice-Principal & Director of Music, said: “I am delighted that Samantha will be taking on the role of Head of Vocal Studies at Guildhall School. The recruitment process for the post included an impressive range of candidates from around the world, and at each stage Samantha demonstrated the vital blend of humanity, pragmatism, passion, authority and her qualities as an outstanding educator. I look forward to working with her as she continues to build upon the excellent reputation Guildhall’s vocal training enjoys, leading our Vocal Studies department into an exciting future.” 

Samantha Malk, Head of Vocal Studies, said: “It is an honour to step into this new leadership role, working in close collaboration with my colleagues. I look forward to maintaining Guildhall’s strong legacy of helping our students reach great heights in our industry. What a privilege it is to be an educator in this artistic community.” 

Find out more about Vocal Studies at Guildhall School.