Thubten Samdup is from the eastern region of Kham. He fled Tibet along with his family at the age of 9. Thubten was eventually selected as one of the first batch of students at TIPA in 1960. He learnt different performing arts and music until 1968 when he took a break to pursue a diploma in the Indian classical music from 'Kalashetra' at Chennai, south India. Later he traveled to the Brown University in the states to get a master degree in Ethonomusicology. After returning to Dharanshala, he was asked to join the administration of TIPA and subsequently became the Director of the institute in 1978 for two years. In 1980, he immigrated to Montreal with his Canadian wife.
 
Same year, Thubten brought together Ex TIPAs of the community in an Artist's collective and also helped form the Tibetan Cultural Association of Quebec and served as its president until 1987. As an initiative of the association, Tibetan Bazaar was started to promote their arts and crafts. Thubten taught and performed during these events along with other artists. He was also instrumental in bringing Phurbu Tsering, master performer and teacher of TIPA, to Montreal

Gradually Thupten Samdup role changed from arts to political activism. He began co editing for the Canada Tibet network, administration for Tibet Support Group, North American representative to the Assembly of Tibetan People's Deputies. Thubten eventually founded Canada Tibet Committee in 1987 and was its national President for 17 years until he retired in 2005 to devote more time to other political projects. During his time as a President, he became one of the most voracious voices to speak against the Chinese oppression in Tibet. His tireless efforts resulted in expansion of CTC to five regions in Canada and reaching out to more support groups then ever all across North America. He also paved way for Dalai Lama's visit to Canada, twice. 

Despite his heavy political activism and many other engagements, Thubten finds time to come to pursue his love of Tibetan music and dance. Together with the Artist's collective he performs now and then during their Losar celebrations and Tibetan Bazaar in Montreal. One of his cherished dream is to open a 'Tibet House' in Canada, where Tibetan art and culture will flourish and find its place among other heritage arts of Canada.