Instructor Biographies

Nathan Whittaker, Cello

Nathan Whittaker, cello, has been described as "a soloist that was not merely good but rather extraordinary", with "musicianship of the highest order." (SSJT) As a member of Plaine & Easie, he won the Grand "Unicorn" Prize in the 2009 EMA Medieval and Renaissance Competition. Mr. Whittaker has served on the faculty at the Indiana University String academy, the principle cellist of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and associate principle cellist with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and has performed in early music festivals in Bloomington and Vancouver, as well as the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. Currently, Mr. Whittaker is a member of the Seattle Baroque Orchestra and Pacific Baroque Orchestra, and teaches at Cornish College of the Arts and the Academy of Music Northwest. He can be heard on CBC broadcasts, and has recorded with the NPR and ATMA Classique labels. Having graduating Cum Laude from Indiana University with a Bachelor and Masters of Music Degree in Cello Performance, Mr. Whittaker is currently a DMA candidate in cello performance with Toby Saks at the University of Washington. His private instructors have included Helga Winold, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Stanley Ritchie, and Peter Wiley.

A good teacher is one that enforces the basic foundations of technique. While any teacher can guide a student through vast amounts of repertoire, only the conscientious teacher prepares the student for all future endeavors and challenges. Nathan Whittaker's teaching philosophy consists of an unwavering understanding of technique, focusing on beauty of sound and elegance of expression. Scales and technical exercises coalesce with exciting repertoire to promote quick, yet thorough progress. After all, the cello is an extension of the soul – it is able to express what is otherwise untranslatable. But while the fundamentals are the foundation of all future success, beyond all else making music is, and should be, simply a fun and enjoyable experience.

www.NathanhWhittaker.com

For more information and scheduling please email Nathan at nhwhittaker@gmail.com.