As a soloist, she is known for her technical virtuosity and has taught Bharatanatyam at Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra in Delhi for many years.

[14] When Samson was nine years of age, her father sent her to Kalakshetra to learn Indian classical dance and music under the founder, Rukmini Devi Arundale and she studied in the Besant Theosophical High School at the same time.

[18] Her notable disciples included Joyce Paul Poursabahian and Justin McCarthy, who now teaches at Sri Ram Bhartiya Kala Kendra.

She has taught Bharatanatyam across the world, including at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London,[16] and the annual Milapfest in Manchester.

Samson has received the Padma Shri (1990),[19] the Sanskriti, Nritya Choodamani, Kalaimamani (2005) given by Government of Tamil Nadu,[20] and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1999–2000) for contributions to Bharatanatyam.

[23]Samson's tenures at Kalakshetra, Sangeet Natak Akademi and the censor board were mired with many controversies amid allegations of corruption,[24] illegal appointments and arbitrary awarding of contracts,[25] as well as financial irregularities.

Veteran Bollywood actor and a former chairperson of the censor board Anupam Kher criticised Samson for playing politics by making partisan allegations while tendering her resignation.

[31] In December 2019, Central Bureau of Investigation filed a case of corruption and criminal breach of trust against Samson and three other Kalakshetra colleagues for financial irregularities.