I am Samuel Robin Shelton, a composer, musical director, multi-instrumentalist and educator based in London. I create original music for circus, film, and live performance, specialising in bespoke scores that support narrative, choreography, and visual storytelling, and I collaborate closely with directors and artists to align music with creative vision and technical performance demands. Through extensive work in the contemporary circus scene, I have built a strong professional network across the UK and Europe, collaborating with internationally recognised artists and production teams. This has led to several commissioned composition and arrangement projects for large-scale touring shows and prestigious international events.

Samuel Robin Shelton

I am Samuel Robin Shelton, a composer, musical director, multi-instrumentalist and educator based in London. I create original music for circus, film, and live performance, specialising in bespoke scores that support narrative, choreography, and visual storytelling, and I collaborate closely with directors and artists to align music with creative vision and technical performance demands. Through extensive work in the contemporary circus scene, I have built a strong professional network across the UK and Europe, collaborating with internationally recognised artists and production teams. This has led to several commissioned composition and arrangement projects for large-scale touring shows and prestigious international events.

Available to hire

I am Samuel Robin Shelton, a composer, musical director, multi-instrumentalist and educator based in London. I create original music for circus, film, and live performance, specialising in bespoke scores that support narrative, choreography, and visual storytelling, and I collaborate closely with directors and artists to align music with creative vision and technical performance demands.

Through extensive work in the contemporary circus scene, I have built a strong professional network across the UK and Europe, collaborating with internationally recognised artists and production teams. This has led to several commissioned composition and arrangement projects for large-scale touring shows and prestigious international events.

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Work Experience

Owner / Musician / Private Instructor at Samuel Shelton Music
May 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Building a client base of 50+ private instrumental/production/theory students, as well as transcription, arrangement, composition and production services.
Band Leader and Keyboard/Keytar Player at Circus Extreme / Circus Krone
July 1, 2022 - Present
Bandleader and keyboard/keytar player for the UK’s largest big top, touring the UK and Germany, performing to crowds of 1,000+, 2 to 3 times a day.
Musician / Band Member at RudeSix
March 1, 2020 - November 1, 2022
Touring the UK, performing to crowds of up to 1,000, supporting acts such as Dandy Livingstone, Bad Manners, Dub Pistols, Neville Staples, Roddy Radiation, The Equators, etc.
Music Teacher at Blue Cat Music School
September 1, 2020 - July 1, 2022
Providing individual and group teaching sessions for piano, guitar, drums, trombone, trumpet and production.
Co-composer and Recording Pianist at Rêve de Japon (Compagnie André Bouglione)
May 1, 2024 - Present
Co-composer and recording pianist for a 20-minute production.
Composer at Earl Grey Blues (20-minute short film)
July 1, 2024 - Present
Composer for the 20-minute short film Earl Grey Blues, premiered at Cineworld, Leicester Square.
Composer and Recording Pianist (End-credits Song) at Holding On
June 1, 2024 - Present
Composer and recording pianist for the end-credits song of Holding On, winner of Award of Recognition: LGBTQ+ Theme (Student).
Founder/Owner at Samuel Shelton Music
May 1, 2025 - January 1, 2026
Building a client base of 50+ private instrumental/production/theory students; provides transcription, arrangement, composition and production services.
Bandleader and keyboard/keytar player at Circus Extreme/Circus Krone
July 1, 2022 - Present
UK’s largest big top; touring the UK and Germany; performing to crowds of 1,000+, 2 to 3 times a day.
Composer and Recording Pianist (End Credits) at Holding On (Film)
June 1, 2024 - Present
End-credits song; winner of Award of Recognition: LGBTQ+ Theme (Student).
Composer at Earl Grey Blues (Short Film)
July 1, 2024 - Present
20-minute short film; premiered at Cineworld, Leicester Square.
Arrangement/Production at Lucky Hell (International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo)
December 1, 2025 - Present
Arrangement and production of 9 minutes 20 seconds of music for the festival.
Commissioned Composer at Laura Urunova (Parrot Trainer/Circus Artist)
January 1, 2026 - Present
Commissioned for 20 minutes of original music (electronic / dance / organic house).

Education

CertHE Jazz Performance at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
January 11, 2030 - January 27, 2026
3 A-Levels (grades B, B, C) and 1 AS Level (B) at The King’s School, Grantham
January 11, 2030 - January 27, 2026
Grade 8 Trombone (Distinction) at Trinity College London
January 11, 2030 - January 27, 2026
CertHE Jazz Performance at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire
January 11, 2030 - May 25, 2026
A-Levels at The King's School, Grantham
January 11, 2030 - May 25, 2026
AS Level at The King's School, Grantham
January 11, 2030 - May 25, 2026
Grade 8 Trombone (Distinction) at Trinity College London
January 11, 2030 - May 25, 2026

Qualifications

Enhanced DBS Certificate
January 11, 2030 - January 27, 2026
Cert HE Jazz Performance
January 11, 2030 - January 27, 2026
Enhanced DBS Certificate
January 11, 2030 - May 25, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other, Travel & Hospitality