Sam di Bonaventura

Sam di Bonaventura was a professor of music at George Mason from 1975 until 1998. Known around campus simply as "Dr. Sam," di Bonaventura taught music history, music theory, and private violin lessons until he retired in spring 1998. Di Bonaventura studied music at Juilliard, Yale, Harvard, and Peabody Conservatory. He studied composition with musical giants including Robert Ward, Vincent Persichetti, Paul Hindemith, Walter Piston, and Benjamin Lees. He was a professional violinist and composed a number of original works for orchestra, chamber ensemble, vocal and choral media.