About Dr. Sam Desmet

Belgian guitarist Sam Desmet has earned international recognition — with over 1,000,000 streams across platforms and 900,000+ on Spotify alone— for his performances and recordings of both established and contemporary composers including Philip Glass, Eduardo Martín, Richard Charlton, and Javier Contreras.

He often collaborates across art forms—dance, film, painting, architecture, and poetry—bringing new dimensions to classical performance. Recently, he premiered the Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra by Belgian composer Jean Absil, performing as a soloist with Casco Phil under conductor Benjamin Haemhouts.

He is currently developing Carcassi – Reimagined, a project with guitarist/composer Troy Gifford that reimagines Matteo Carcassi’s 25 Études Op. 60 as expressive and idiomatic guitar duets. Sam also leads the award-winning Unity in Diversity – Harmony of Cultures project, featuring global folk songs arranged by composers of matching nationality, with original cover art by visual artists from the same cultures—fusing tradition with creative reinterpretation.

A graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Ghent under Yves Storms, he has worked with Leo Brouwer, Angelo Gilardino, and Simone Iannarelli, recording their music on Study Study. Based in the U.S., he performs internationally and collaborates in chamber settings with artists like Pablo Briceño and Federico Bonacossa. 

Based in Orlando, Florida, and available for concert and touring engagements nationally and internationally.

Selected Engagements

  • Concerts in Europe, Asia, and US
  • World-Premiere Jean Absil Concerto with Casco Phil orchestra (director B. Haemhouts)
  • Russian Guitar Festival “Concert Day”
  • FIU GuitArt Festival, GuitarFest – New World School of Music, …
  • Florida Music Educators Association: clinician, workshop, lecturer
  • Former guitar faculty at Stetson University and Valencia College

Available For

Solo Recitals

Chamber Music

Masterclasses

Workshops

Clinics

Lectures

What Composers & Performers Say

“Your playing is beautiful, full of sensibility, I really love your work.”
— Simone Iannarelli, Guitarist, Composer

“Listened. It’s good – you have quite the musical insight. Thank you.”
— Angelo Gilardino, Musicologist, Composer

“You are right in that many etudes can be beautiful music to include in one’s concert repertoire. You are a very musical player, te felicito!”
— Luis Zea, Guitarist

Technical Rider — Solo Classical Guitar Recital

Stage: Minimum clear space of 8×8 ft: quiet, isolated performance area free of foot traffic and background noise. 

Sound: Classical guitar is typically performed unamplified in rooms up to ~300 seats. For larger halls, a single subtle condenser microphone or DI (if amplified) plus house sound is requested — to be discussed in advance based on venue size.

Lighting: Standard stage/house lighting sufficient to read music comfortably; no special effects required.

Green room: A private space for warm-up before performance.

Piano tuning / other instruments: Not applicable for solo recitals; chamber programs may require coordination in advance.

This is a general-purpose rider and can be adjusted to the specific venue and program — please reach out to confirm details for your event.

Ready to Book?

For rates, availability, and program details, get in touch — info@samdesmet.com

Contact Sam

Press Kit

Members of the press, presenters, and collaborators can download the complete Press Kit below
— including high-resolution images, artist biography, and media materials.

Download Full Press Kit

Recent coverage
Classical Guitar Review: “Carcassi: Reimagined turns Op. 60 études into guitar duets” (October 11, 2026)
This Is Classical Guitar: 2026 New Releases for Classical Guitar (October 2026)