Nathan W. TakeLessons Instructor Voice, Guitar, Theory and Ear Training. Denver, CO

Nathaniel, born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, began singing at the age of five in a church children’s choir. At age eight he began guitar lessons and continues playing guitar to this day. At age seven Nathaniel recorded his first album and traveled on a tour of New Mexico. At age eleven he began taking Theory, ear training, musical conducting and basic voice from Opera Singer “Wayne Saxon”, he also sang in his nondenominational chorale, “The Wayne Saxon Chorale”. By age fourteen Nathaniel was selected as one of only three freshmen to be apart of his High School Show Choir, The Sandia High School “Continentals”.  By his sophomore year Nathaniel celebrated with his fellow choir members as they won the State, then the National Title in Show Choir competition. At age sixteen Nathaniel began a full time job as the Contemporary music director of Sandia Presbyterian Church. Before Nathaniel’s arrival the church had no prior contemporary service or band. In two years Nathaniel had two contemporary services and a twenty member praise team. After his success at Sandia Presbyterian Nathaniel became the Assistant Traditional Music Director at St. Marks Episcopal Church. He spent the next three years helping the music director conduct the chorus, pick music, and lead the bass section. From 1998-2002 Nathaniel was selected to receive the National Award being put in the book Who’s Who Among American High School Students. This award is achieved through a teacher’s recommendation, and the Who’s Who board’s evaluation of Nathaniel’s achievements and persona. At age nineteen Nathaniel was given his first Professional opera role as “Marcus” the Roman Centurion in the Christian Opera “The Choice” as part of the Christian Opera Company of Eastern Hills Baptist Church. Two years later Nathaniel was selected to sing the National Anthem for the University of New Mexico’s Women’s basketball game, and for the semiprofessional baseball team “The Albuquerque Isotopes”. That same year Nathaniel released two full length Contemporary Christian Albums, on the label of “Audio Lab Productions”. By age twenty one Nathaniel began studying Voice with Canadian Opera Singer “Steve Gokool” and became the Assistant Music Director of St. Stephens United Methodist Church, where he lead traditional services, as he did at St. Marks, and prepared Contemporary  and  blended services by rehearsing and participating in three church choirs. Nathaniel also began his career as a composer that year, as he was commissioned by a number of local bands to write music for their new projects. Nathaniel’s latest achievement came in 2007 when he was cast as “Papageno” in Mozart’s “Magic Flute” as apart of The University of New Mexico’s Opera Company. Nathaniel currently serves with his friend and musical companion “Jay Kory Johnson”, in their Contemporary Christian Group “Many Waters” who’s CD is set to release in 2009 and is finishing his bachelors degree in Music Performance at the University of Denver, where he currently studies voice with Opera Singer Kenneth Cox.

Over the years I have tried to acquire many different kinds of materials, such as books, computer programs etc. that will help my students learn. I find that not every student learns the same way because some students are visual or technological etc. So I think a good teacher knows how to adjust their teaching style to how the student learns, which is why I offer these different materials in my studio. I'm laid back in lessons, but not to laid back, when you need to be pushed I push you. I have been told that I'm a lot like Tony Dungy, coach of the Colts. After six months with me I believe that you will have gained knowledge about how to use your instrument better, and how you can apply those skills in real life, not just have information that means nothing. I have a learn by doing approach that I think students enjoy, but it would take to much of this page to explain this method, so you will have to come and find out for yourself on how it works, but I believe you will not be disappointed. 

I specialize in Classical and Pop Vocal technique, in Rock Guitar technique and the University level of Theory and Ear Training.

Voice, Guitar, Theory and Ear Training.