Chris Lam Sam is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most recognisable musical entertainers for young families, known for combining music and education in ways that inspire and delight.

With a Bachelor of Music in composition and a primary school teaching qualification, Chris began performing full-time for children in 2008, quickly gaining fame as part of The Funky Monkeys. The group performed over 900 shows, reaching 1.7 million people, and won multiple awards, becoming a beloved part of New Zealand’s entertainment scene.

Chris has worked on a variety of creative projects that bring music to life for young audiences. He was Musical Director for 175 of the Kids For Kids choir concerts over eleven years, he performed over 600 musical ‘Sailor the Pufferfish’ shows for the NZ Asthma & Respiratory Foundation over 13 years, and has collaborated with the NZ Symphony Orchestra, Royal NZ Ballet, and NZ String Quartet since 2016 to create engaging musical experiences for children. His passion for writing and composing has led to award-winning projects, including his Silly Funny Songs for Kids album and music videos such as the animated Song About Nothing.

As a published author, Chris co-wrote Inspector Brunswick: Case of the Missing Eyebrow, released by the UK’s TATE Museum and recognised with a Storylines Notable Book Award. His creativity also extends to environmental storytelling, as seen in his collaboration with Young Ocean Explorers on Let’s Love Our Sea, which encourages young people to care for the planet.

Based in Wellington with his wife and three sons, Chris continues to combine music and education in his work with the NZSO as their first full-time Music Education Animateur. Through innovative workshops, concerts, and school programmes, he helps young people and diverse audiences to discover the magic of music through storytelling, and develop a life-long love of symphonic music.