Sammy O’Connell’s love for music all started with her musical family. Listening to her father play jazz standards in cozy Chicago venues and her mother teaching piano students in her home gave Sammy the inspiration to pursue music herself. Sammy began playing the violin at the age of 6, dabbling in oboe, English horn, and viola along the way. Her passions for music and the sciences led her Northwestern University where she received a BMus and a BA in Violin Performance and Psychology, respectively. While in college, Sammy also danced in TONIK Tap, Northwestern’s premier tap ensemble and served as Artistic Director from 2010-2011. Since her graduation this past June, she works as a research assistant in Northwestern’s Auditory Neuroscience Laboratory, investigating the biological benefits of musical training on brain function while still finding the time to play her violin in classical and contemporary ensembles. She is so excited to be performing with Chicago Tap Theatre this season!