Sam Baetzel grew up on the west side of Ann Arbor where he first started singing for the Pioneer Choirs under Ken Westerman. During high school, the Pioneer Choirs has been seen performing at Hill Auditorium, Rotary Club at Michigan Union, as well as tours in England, Wales, and Vienna. After graduation, Sam sang for the EMU Choirs under Dr. Leonard Riccinto where he experienced master works like Carmina Burana, Ode to Joy, Symphony of Pslams, and Durufle's Requiem. In 2005, Sam joined the UMS Choral Union under direction of Jerry Blackstone and got to work under many renowned maestros including John Adams, Michael Tilson Thomas, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Hans Graft, Leonard Slatkin, and Neville Marriner. Over the years, Sam has performed in many choral projects like Pinckey Players' Hunchback of Notre Dame, Renaissance Festival with Arbor Consort, Arbor Opera Theater's Die Fledermaus and Marriage of Figaro, and Vocal Arts Ensemble of Ann Arbor.