Sam Quintal, founding violist of the Jasper String Quartet, was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska in a small log cabin with wood heat and no running water. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in violin performance from Oberlin Conservatory studying with Marilyn McDonald, his Master’s degree in String Quartet from Rice University studying viola with James Dunham, and his Artist's Diploma from Yale School of Music studying with the Tokyo String Quartet. In addition to many prestigious performances and collaborations with his quartet, he has individually performed with exceptional chamber musicians such as the Tokyo String Quartet, Paul Neubauer and Andrés Díaz. When not playing viola, he loves cooking, cross-country skiing, biking and and building things in his basement workshop. He lives in Philadelphia, PA with his wife, Anna, and daughter, Lena.