Although born in England, Samantha moved to Australia with her family at an early age. She started to play the guitar at nine and studied with various teachers, including Sebastian Jorgensen and Gregory Pikler. In 1994 she was a finalist in the Australian Guitar Competition and in 1995 played in the final of the Darwin International Guitar Competition, where she received a special commendation from the judges. In 1996 Samantha returned to England to study with Carlos Bonell at the Royal College of Music. She was awarded a Senior Exhibition, and in 1997 completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Performance Studies. On graduating Samantha was awarded the Madeline Walton Guitar Prize as the best guitarist at the College. She has taken part in Master Classes given by John Williams and Stephen Dodgson among others.

Samantha has given solo recitals in England and Australia, notably at the Bolivar Hall in London, at the South Wales Guitar Festival and for the Classical Guitar Society in Sydney. She is particularly keen to perform and promote music by Australian composers. A long association with Phillip Houghton has given her a special insight into his music and she has given several performances of his works.