Viola - Violin
Nathan Hillman, violist, violinist, composer, arranger, and educator has always been passionate about music, and is especially interested in studying chamber music not often performed. It was Janet Ciano, his first teacher that drew him to the viola, and ultimately into the rich world of chamber music, attending Kneisel Hall and Next Generation chamber music camps in Maine for many years. After years of playing chamber music as a violist, Nathan, along with conductor Deirdre McClure, co-founded a chamber music program at Bay Chamber Music School (Maine), coaching ensembles open to both youth and adult students. In an effort to give students a broad spectrum of music, he chose lesser-known composers for many ensembles, resulting in vibrant recital programs.
Nathan sat as principal violist for the Peabody Symphony Orchestra from 2021-22, as well as the Union College Orchestra (Schenectady, NY), the Odeon Chamber Orchestra (Rockport, ME), and has played with various other orchestras including the Colby Symphony Orchestra. In 2023 he was part of an orchestral recording project at Peabody Conservatory featuring music by Pulitzer prize-winning composer and professor Du Yun in her Mythology Series.
He has volunteered as a violist and arranger for the Peabody String Sinfonia since 2021, which aims to develop a kinship between Peabody and the Baltimore community by sharing beautiful music. He served as co-director for the ensemble during the 2022-23 season, performing for OrchKids, Enoch Pratt Libraries, and Marian House, among others. Nathan worked for two years as assistant to the Director of Chamber Music at Peabody, Michael Kannen. He is a former member of other ensembles, including a West African drumming group led by Jordan Bennisan, Union College’s Taiko ensemble Zakuro Daiko, and Penobscot Bay Ringers, a handbell choir based in Mid-coast Maine.
Nathan won the Bagaduce Composer Competition in Blue Hill, Maine for three years, and has premiered a number of original chamber and solo works, most notably in 2012, where he presented a concert debuting eight compositions, ranging from one to nine musicians. Despite currently focusing on viola, Nathan maintains a strong interest in composition and arranging, especially chamber music. He has extensive experience arranging music, often featuring viola, both in solo and chamber music contexts, and not limited to the classical genre. His experience as a composer has been instrumental to freelancing work, which often requires special music arrangements.
Since before his inception as an educator with Bay Chamber Music School, Nathan has always believed that musicians should feel inspired by the music they are playing, and that playing an instrument should be based on love for the instrument. Learning an instrument involves not only technique, but also music theory, music history, arts, body awareness, and self-confidence, so he works to incorporate all of these elements into his lessons.
Nathan studied at Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, where he earned a B.M. in Viola Performance under Choong-Jin Chang, principle violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Nathan currently teaches violin and viola around the Baltimore- DC area, both private lessons and chamber groups, maintaining a strong network for performing opportunities as well. In addition to music, Nathan enjoys time spent outdoors, hiking, snowshoeing, or camping. He enjoys taking trips along back roads, experiencing the local culture, music, and landscape. Growing up on a farm in rural Maine, it was not uncommon to see young Nathan playing violin for a flock of chickens.
LISTENING TO:
Zoltan Kodaly - Duo for Violin and Cello
Johannes Brahms - Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano
Ysaye - Sonata No. 4 for Solo Violin
Rush - The Spirit of Radio
Heart - Barracuda
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - Autumn in New York
Chet Baker - It’s Always You