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ALL ABOUT NATHAN SMITH

Nathan Smith is a Seattle based artist whose compositions blur the lines between contemporary, classical and traditional folk music. He strives to blend his love of classical percussion with singer songwriter traditions and incorporate new percussive elements to already established genres.

“I love the honesty and storytelling that comes with the singer/songwriter tradition, and it’s my desire to incorporate that sincerity into my own playing and composing. Music, to me, is about alleviating the player and listener from the struggles of daily life and creating a momentary world within a few minutes of music.”


Nathan Smith was born and raised in the Dallas, TX area surrounded by a dense

jazz and gospel scene. Nathan grew up encompassed in drumline and drum corps. In the past ten years he has been involved in playing and teaching drum corps through out the United States.


Nathan graduated from the University of Missouri, where he studied classical

percussion under Dr. Julia Gaines. In 2013, Nathan settled in Austin, TX, where

he became part of the city’s thriving music scene. During his time in Austin, he developed a passion for singer/songwriter music, worked within many different music styles, and won Austin Unsigned Artist of the Year award, as well as the LA Music Critics

blog’s number one single award and fan favorite awards.


In 2017, Nathan moved to Valencia, Spain to pursue his masters degree in Contemporary Performance from the prestigious Berklee College of Music, studying under Victor Mendoza. After graduating in 2018 he traveled around Europe playing at many renowned and historic jazz clubs and music venues. He currently lives in Seattle playing, teaching and loving the pacific northwest. 

Get in Touch

PROFESSIONAL CV

Music Credentials

EDUCATION

Berklee College of Music

Masters of Music - Contemporary Performance and Production

2017-2018 Cum Laude

University of Missouri

Bachelors of Music - Percussion Performance

2008-2013

EXPERIENCE

Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps

Front Ensemble Coordinator  2019 - current

Tahoma Highschool 

Front Ensemble Coordinator/Assistant Marching Director 2019- current 

Maple Valley Youth Symphony 

Percussion Specialist 2019-current

Cedar Park High School 

Private Lesson Instructor Front Ensemble Coordinator/ Technician 2014-2017

Guardians Drum and Bugle Corp

Front Ensemble Technician 2015-2017

Jersey Surf Drum and Bugle Corp

Front Ensemble Technician 2014-2015

Hickman High School 

Front Ensemble Coordinator 2012-2013

TOOLS

Logic Pro X

Finale Notation Software

Pro Tools

Final Cut Pro

Sibelius 

MUSIC LESSONS

Need lessons? Im Available for lessons focusing on... 

- Drumset

- Marching percussion

- Mallet Percussion 

- Improvisation

- Composition 

- Ear training

- Music Theory

- Audio production and recording

- Sound Design

- Arranging

- Education and classroom management

Email me at nathansmithpercussion@gmail.com

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