Samantha Minardi-Lopez

she/her/hers

Manager of Student Services & Arts Education Business Coordinator

Performing and Visual Arts — Programming

About Sam

Sam Minardi-Lopez (she/her) serves as the Manager of Student Services & Arts Education Business Coordinator for Chautauqua Institution. She manages the student experience for all Schools of Performing & Visual Arts (Music, Visual Art, Dance, Theater) during the summer assembly, and coordinates Arts Education programs in K-12 schools around Chautauqua County.  

From Long Island, NY, Sam relocated to Western New York in 2017 to pursue the arts. She holds an M.M. and B.A. in percussion performance from the State University of New York at Fredonia where she studied with Dr. Kay Stonefelt, and was a graduate teaching assistant for classes, lessons, and ensembles. When not at Chautauqua, Sam enjoys playing weekend gigs, teaching private lessons, and spending time with her wife Emma and their two cats, Phinean and Atreus.  

Why did you choose to work at Chautauqua? What do you like about working at Chautauqua?

After participating in my first Summer Assembly in 2022 as a seasonal employee, I knew that Chautauqua was a place that I wanted to be at year-round. I enjoy being surrounded by the arts in all its forms, and value my part in bringing these experiences to young and emerging artists from around the world and right here in Chautauqua County.