Nathan Cottrell, cello

Nathan Cottrell, a native of Huntington Beach, California, is active across the United States as soloist, chamber musician and conductor. Having recently completed the Performance Diploma at Michigan State University with a full scholarship under Suren Bagratuni, Nathan will be moving down South to assume a position with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra as their newest Cello Fellow.

Growing up in the Los Angeles area afforded Nathan the opportunity to study with many wonderful musicians including Andrew Shulman, Ron Leonard, Marlin Owen, Richard Naill and Vicki Bacon. While a student studying cello and chamber music at the Colburn School, Nathan was featured in concerts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Colburn's Zipper Hall and as prize winner in several competitions across California.

His Bachelor’s degree was earned at Biola University where Nathan was a featured soloist with the Biola Orchestra, cellist of the Honors Quartet and adjunct conducting faculty while still a student. He has since been sought after to return as guest conductor, instructor and artist. During his time at the University of Memphis, Nathan earned his Master’s degree in cello performance under the tutelage of Leonardo Altino and orchestral conducting under Pu-Qi Jiang. Nathan has been engaged as conductor for the Stringfellows music festival, the Montgomery Music Project, the All American Boys Chorus, the Children’s Church Choir of Irvine and the Germantown Youth Symphony where he directed the chamber music program.

Concert tours have taken him to Asia, Europe and North America with solo performances with the Delta Symphony Orchestra and the Lagrange Symphony Orchestra. Recent awards include prizes from the William C. Byrd International Competition, the Beethoven Club Competition, ASTA, the SAI Music Scholarship Competition and VOCE. Nathan has taken prizes in concerto competitions at Michigan State University, the University of Memphis and Biola University, as well as Grand Prize of the Delta Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Competition and the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.

A performer of baroque and contemporary music alike, Nathan has performed and premiered many important works. Highlights include performances and recordings with the Pacific Symphony, the Collegium ensemble, the New Music Ensemble, Ad Libitum and Musique21 in collaboration with Andy Akiho. Nathan has recorded and performed with several rock/pop bands in such venues as The House of Blues and The Roxy Theatre and can be heard on the Blue Griffin and Biola University labels as well as on live broadcasts from WKAR and KUSC. Nathan lives happily with his wife, two kids and a black lab in Montgomery, Alabama.

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