Samuel Nalangira is a Ugandan-born, Michigan-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, choreographer, and educator whose work bridges centuries-old African traditions with inventive contemporary expression.

Raised in Masaka, Uganda, Samuel’s love for music began early. At the age of eight, he was awarded a bursary to attend music school, where he learned traditional Ugandan instruments such as the Adungu (harp), Akogo (thumb piano), Endingidi (one-string fiddle), and the Amadinda (xylophone). By fifteen, he was already teaching music, driven by a deep commitment to sharing his culture with others.

Over the years, Samuel has mastered numerous African instruments and developed his own playing techniques. Many of his instruments are handmade, reflecting both resourcefulness and craftsmanship—often using creative materials such as fishing line for strings. His performances frequently blend live looping technology with traditional melodies and rhythms, creating the sound of a full ensemble from a single performer.

Samuel’s career has taken him across Africa, Europe, North America, and Asia, where he performs, teaches workshops, and collaborates with artists of diverse genres. In 2018, he choreographed Dance of Hope, a youth-focused production from Uganda that toured the United States, appearing at major festivals such as the LEAF Festival in North Carolina and Lotus Blossoms in Indiana.